Gumbleton gone for season
16/06/2008 6:57 PM
Essendon key position prospect Scott Gumbleton has suffered yet another injury setback after he broke his collarbone playing for VFL affiliate Bendigo on Sunday.
Gumbleton has endured a wretched run of injury since crossing to the Bombers from WAFL team Peel Thunder after being taken at pick No.2 overall in the 2006 national draft.
The 19-year-old was sidelined for five weeks in the middle of last season due to a hamstring complaint before finally making his AFL debut in Round 17.
He then sustained his third hamstring injury since being recruited in the first round of this year's NAB Cup before a medial ligament strain in his knee further delayed his return to senior football.
Gumbleton finally made his first appearance at VFL level for the year a fortnight ago and was one of Bendigo's best but Sunday's injury has cast a serious shadow over his prospects of playing for Essendon in 2008.
The youngster, who recently penned a brand new contract that will tie him to the club until the end of 2010, will undergo surgery on the collarbone on Monday night and will be sidelined for at least six weeks.
Gumbleton has only played five AFL matches so far - the last of which came in Round 22 of last season.