David Astbury’s comeback from a severe knee injury is ahead of schedule and the backman could play again this AFL season, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says.
The 195cm defender had surgery after dislocating his left knee cap in round nine on May 17 while attempting to tackle Melbourne’s Jack Viney.
Hardwick says the 23-year-old Astbury is back running on grass which is a major breakthrough.
“We’re really hopeful he will play some footy again this year, which is a real positive for him,” Hardwick told reporters on Thursday.
“When he did that injury, we thought it was incredibly severe, which it was.
“But his recovery has been nothing short of outstanding.
“Towards the back end of the year, we’re very hopeful he gets back and plays.
“He’s an outstanding player for us. He was probably one of our better players in the first part of the year, a real shining light.
“He’s well ahead of schedule which is fantastic.
“He’s running on grass which doesn’t seem like a big one. But, for the injury he had, it has been significant.”
Astbury made his debut in 2010 but has played only 37 games. Foot, hamstring and leg injuries restricted the backman from Tatyoon in western Victoria to five matches in 2013.
The athletic defender dislocated his right knee cap in round 12, 2011 and didn’t return to the senior side until round 22 of the following season.