- Odin Jones to miss 2025 AFL season for Fremantle
- Fractured a vertebrae in his spine at friend’s house
- Incident labelled a ‘freak accident’ by club staff
Promising Fremantle rookie Odin Jones will sit out the Dockers’ 2025 campaign as he recovers from spinal surgery.
Jones, 19, will be sidelined after he suffered a ‘freak’ fall at a friend’s house in November which resulted in him fracturing a vertebrae in his spine.
After being rushed into spinal surgery, the teenager – who can play as a forward or in the ruck – spent several weeks in hospital recovering.
At the time of the incident, Fremantle’s executive general manager of football Joe Brierty described the situation as a ‘freak accident’.
In a club statement released on Friday, Brierty provided an update on Jones.
‘This is an extremely unfortunate outcome for Odin,’ he said of Jones being added to the club’s long-term injury list.
‘He’s a popular member of our playing group, and we will continue to support him in his recovery every step of the way.’
Jones, who was selected as pick No.5 in last year’s rookie draft, is yet to play a senior AFL game.
Fremantle rookie Odin Jones will sit out the Dockers’ 2025 campaign as he recovers from spinal surgery
Jones (right) will be sidelined after he suffered a ‘freak’ fall at a friend’s house in November
This year, the West Perth junior was impressive when turning out for Peel Thunder in the West Australian Football League.
And with Jones out of action next year, small forwards Isaiah Dudley and Baynen Lowe have both been invited to train with the Dockers following standout respective performances in the SANFL.
Meanwhile, Western Bulldogs list manager Sam Power has been appointed interim head of football at Whitten Oval.
The 41-year-old will look to help cover the loss of Chris Grant over the pre-season, after the club stalwart recently departed following more than 30 years of service as a player, board member and executive.
Power will still oversee list management and work closely with experienced national recruiting manager Dom Milesi, who has been the footy industry for almost 20 years.
The Bulldogs are expected to make a full-time appointment before the start of next season.
Round one of the 2025 AFL campaign begins on March 6 when premiers Brisbane take on Geelong in a blockbuster at the Gabba.