Surgery next month will determine whether Joel Bennett ever pulls on the boots again.
The Corio star has been sidelined since Round 3 as he deals with the ongoing effects of a serious injury suffered in the first half of the 2024 season.
Bennett, who won the 2023 Whitley Medal, was hospitalised following a marking contest against Inverleigh.
“I’ve got to have a bone taken out,” the 29-year-old told K rock Football’s Beyond the Boundary podcast.
“I broke three vertebrae, and then one of those bones that sort of snapped off, it’s just moving a little bit to the left, so it affects a lot of the nerves.
“We tried to do some spinal injections and a few things earlier this year, back in February,
“But, unfortunately, none of that worked, so surgery is the last option.”
Bennett, who played 21 games and kicked 30 with VFL club Werribee pre-COVID, says he’s accepted that his playing days could be over if the surgery doesn’t achieve the desired outcome.
“To play football again is definitely something that I want,” he said. “But at the same time, if it’s not to be, it’s not to be.
“I’m pretty happy with what I’ve been able to achieve in in my career, although (I) never got the ultimate premiership success.
“I’ve been able to play pretty high-level footy, been able to coach with my dad as a player, got to captain my club, coach my club, play with my brother, play with Jay (Blackney), (fiancée) Tiff’s brother.
“I’ve been able to tick off some pretty cool things, even though the success eluded me.”
Bennett is open to coaching again, even if he doesn’t take the field in the future.
“Someone asked me that not long ago,” he said. “But it’d be a bit hard to recruit from a hospital bed for the first few weeks.
“I don’t think next year is on the cards.
“But the appetite’s still there down the track.”
After a two-match stint in the reserves, Corio (11th, 1-11) spearhead Herschelle Carr has been recalled for the match-up with Inverleigh (8th, 5-7) at All In One Services Oval.
The interleague representative is one of two inclusions for the Devils, with Kade Bergen also promoted.
They replace Blake Natoli-West (concussion protocol) and Buckley Weber.
The Hawks have been boosted by the inclusion of Boe Collins, Nathan Mayes, and Brayden Warren.
However, they’ve lost Dean Muir (finger) and Harvey Bauer (shoulder), with Ethan Lubcke returning to the reserves.
Bannockburn (7th, 7-5) has suffered a major blow ahead of a crucial clash against Werribee Centrals (1st, 11-1) at Victoria Park.
Scans on a knee injury suffered by Willson Mack during the second quarter of last week’s loss to North Geelong have revealed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament for the Bell Park recruit.
The Tigers have made three changes, with Jack Henderson and Tom Gibson returning to the reserves.
After taking part in events at last week’s Gold Coast Marathon, Jack Brauman and Jayme Rekers are back, while Ryan Perkins returns from injury.
The Centurions have lost captain Michael Culliver to a one-match suspension, Bryce Linehan-Cunningham (concussion), and Liam Robinson (unavailable).
They’ve been replaced by Max Ryan, Kristian Adorno and Zac Pace.
It will be Pace’s first senior outing since making his debut in Round 16 last year as an under-18.
He’s kicked 20 goals from 11 games in the reserves in 2026.
High-flying Winchelsea (3rd, 9-3) has made two forced changes as it looks to consolidate a spot inside the top three against fellow double-chance contender Belmont Lions (2nd, 9-3) at Winter Reserve.
The Blues have lost Zac Ross to a concussion suffered in the win over the previously unbeaten Werribee Centrals, while Callum Nankervis accepted a two-match suspension before heading overseas for the duration of his ban.
They’ve been replaced by Sam Adams and Harry Nagle.
The Lions have lost Noah Houtsma, Jake Wood, and Will Maclean to injury, with Mitch Saunders omitted.
They’ve been replaced by Ben Evans, Brock Mahoney, Matt Dyster, and debutant Archer Darken.
Darken has played seven reserves matches since crossing from South Barwon at the start of the year.
Reigning Whitley medallist Jack Yates is among three inclusions for Bell Post Hill (5th, 8-4) as it prepares to head up Ballan Road for a meeting with Anakie (9th, 3-9) at AA Semi-Trailers Oval.
The Panthers’ skipper has been joined by veteran Caleb Bacely and star ruck Brock Carter.
They replace Renn Lovitt, Sam Harmer and Tannar Stone.
Nick Costello will make his 150th appearance for the club, the week after he became the all-time leading goalkicker at Myers Reserve with 426 majors.
The Roos have been forced into five changes.
Mitch Gavin (ribs), Nick Hau (hand), James Vandenberg (osteitis pubis), Rob Cannon (groin), and Sean Sim (unavailable) couldn’t be considered.
Former Lara player Harley Goodwin will make his debut for Anakie after spending the past six years in Queensland.
Lewis Fitzpatrick, Jack Sutherland, Matthew McLachlan, and Billy Whiting are among the inclusions.
North Geelong (6th, 8-4) welcomes back Mick Govus for its battle with Thomson (10th, 2-10) at Godfrey Street.
He replaces Sof Florio.
The Tigers are unchanged after falling just short of upsetting Inverleigh last week.
Geelong West (11th, 0-12) has again been ravaged by injury, with caretaker coach Andrew Clark forced into five changes for Sunday’s meeting with East Geelong (4th, 8-4) at Scaada Stadium.
The Giants have lost Nate Brislan, Jacson Collins, Alex Buckwell, Cooper Hardy, and Lucas Wealands from the team that lost to Bell Post Hill last week, while debutant Bodhi Black returns to the under-18s.
Clark will unveil two more newcomers from the under-18s, with Felix LaBonte and Aaron Dean to get their opportunity against the Eagles.
Junior product Ethan Sitlington and Lara recruit Jaxon Jans will also make their senior debuts for the club, with Kyden McCaughan and Callum Roberts returning.
The Eagles have made four changes, including the loss of Zac Smith to a shoulder injury sustained during last week’s win over Corio.
He was due to see the surgeon on Friday, with East fearing he won’t play again in 2026.
Last year’s runner-up will also be without Ross Symonds, who suffered a hamstring injury at training on Thursday night, and managed duo Bailey Payne and Jake McLean.
Finn Giles will debut; Ben Flintoff is making his first appearance at senior level in 2026; Darcy Martin has been recalled from the reserves; and Jacob Nolan is back after missing the clash with the Devils.
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