SKIPZ AFLW Injury Update: Bates to undergo surgery
Emily Bates is set to undergo surgery on her injured SC joint.
Hawthorn skipper Emily Bates will undergo surgery to repair the sternoclavicular injury she sustained in Round 7.
High Performance Manager Aaron Kellett outlined the expected recovery timeline for Bates, plus the progress on Najwa Allen from a hamstring injury as she eyes off a return to training next week.
He also provided an update on Bridie Hipwell and Ainslie Kemp on their respective recoveries.
Najwa Allen (Hamstring) – 3 weeks
“Really well, she’s progressing well. She’s resumed sprinting this week without issue, she’ll start to filter into some modified training and into the full training group next week. At this stage she’s three weeks away from availability for AFLW, but we’ll probably look to include her as part of the scrimmage in two weeks’ time as part of her return to play. So tracking well at this stage.”
Emily Bates (SC Joint) – TBC
“Emily is due for surgery to repair that sternoclavicular joint. Obviously, we want to see how she pulls up from surgery and there’s still a lot to play out from a season perspective, so we’re not in a position to definitively give a timeline at this point. We’ll update as soon as we can but we’re certainly as a program not preparing to have Emily available for the remainder of the home and away season.”
Bridie Hipwell (Leg) – Season
“Recovering really well. So Bridie’s out of the boot now, she’s partially weight-bearing on crutches and has resumed her gym work and she has a surgeon’s review tomorrow, pending clearance there she’ll be able to hit the pool as well. So we’re back into work with Bridie which is great.”
Ainslie Kemp (Knee) – Season
“Kemp is also into her return to play, into her gym work, regaining her range of motion, regaining some of her strength markers. Again, it’s great to see Kempy in the environment and back into her work.”
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Ollie Florent of the Blues, Jed Walter of the Suns, Jarman Impey of the Hawks, Luke Davies-Uniacke of the Kangaroos, Aliir Aliir of the Power, Willem Duursma of the Eagles, Arthur Jones of the Bulldogs and Brandon Leary of the Devils race in the half time sprint during the AFL Grand Final match between Fremantle Dockers and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 26, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Ollie Florent of the Blues, Jed Walter of the Suns, Jarman Impey of the Hawks, Luke Davies-Uniacke of the Kangaroos, Aliir Aliir of the Power, Willem Duursma of the Eagles, Arthur Jones of the Bulldogs and Brandon Leary of the Devils race in the half time sprint during the AFL Grand Final match between Fremantle Dockers and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 26, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Ollie Florent of the Blues, Jed Walter of the Suns, Jarman Impey of the Hawks, Luke Davies-Uniacke of the Kangaroos, Aliir Aliir of the Power, Willem Duursma of the Eagles, Arthur Jones of the Bulldogs and Brandon Leary of the Devils race in the half time sprint during the AFL Grand Final match between Fremantle Dockers and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 26, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Ollie Florent of the Blues, Jed Walter of the Suns, Jarman Impey of the Hawks, Luke Davies-Uniacke of the Kangaroos, Aliir Aliir of the Power, Willem Duursma of the Eagles, Arthur Jones of the Bulldogs and Brandon Leary of the Devils race in the half time sprint during the AFL Grand Final match between Fremantle Dockers and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 26, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Ollie Florent of the Blues, Jed Walter of the Suns, Jarman Impey of the Hawks, Luke Davies-Uniacke of the Kangaroos, Aliir Aliir of the Power, Willem Duursma of the Eagles, Arthur Jones of the Bulldogs and Brandon Leary of the Devils race in the half time sprint during the AFL Grand Final match between Fremantle Dockers and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 26, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Ollie Florent of the Blues, Jed Walter of the Suns, Jarman Impey of the Hawks, Luke Davies-Uniacke of the Kangaroos, Aliir Aliir of the Power, Willem Duursma of the Eagles, Arthur Jones of the Bulldogs and Brandon Leary of the Devils race in the half time sprint during the AFL Grand Final match between Fremantle Dockers and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 26, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos)
