The Fremantle Football Club has defended the club’s injury management program and the level of care it provides all players following comments made by Shane Kersten’s manager Colin Young.
Young made comment to media while the club was finalising details on a deed of settlement to release the injured Fremantle player from his playing contract, which was due to expire at the end of the 2019 season.
When it became clear that the 26-year-old, who underwent surgery on the plantar fascia in his left foot in March this year after injuring it at training in January, was not going to play for the balance of the season, Young approached the club last week seeking a release for his player.
“While we respect the views of player managers like Colin and work with them each day, it is important to reinforce that everyone at the Fremantle Football Club is committed to looking after our players and their health and welfare on and off the field,” general manager of football Peter Bell said.
“Injury management is a vital component of providing that support and it is a very important area of our club. We have highly experienced, capable and committed professionals with input, when required, from local, national and, at times, international specialists and experts in their field.
“Part of their important role is to mitigate the impact of an injury a player incurs when playing or training and we are always looking to enhance and improve our operations.
“In every instance when a player is injured, the circumstances surrounding the injury and the ensuing treatment and rehabilitation program are thoroughly and extensively reviewed, as was the case with the injury that Shane suffered to his plantar fascia earlier this year.
“We want every player who comes to this club to be successful and play as many games as possible. Despite Shane not being able to play in 2019, we are confident with how the injury was managed, treated and reviewed, and that the club has done everything possible to assist Shane, with support and care from all areas of our football operations including our player welfare services.”
The club has mutually agreed with Kersten and his management on a deed of settlement to release him from his playing contract, which was finalised today.
Kersten joined Fremantle via the 2016 trade period from Geelong in exchange for pick 60 in the 2016 draft after playing 37 games for the Cats.
He played 29 games for Fremantle in 2017 and 2018 and has not played an AFL game in 2019.
“Shane has not been able to return to full training and playing which has been very frustrating for him. Bell said.
“We wish Shane all the best for the future and thank him for his contribution to the club.”
