MIDFIELDER Jesse Lonergan’s return from a hamstring injury is still a couple of weeks away, but Head Fitness Coach Paul Haines believes the talented youngster can still provide plenty of run for the senior side throughout the final weeks of the season. 

“Jesse has been going well,” he told goldcoastfc.com.au on Monday.

“We noticed his hamstring wasn’t quite right the other week, so he has been going through stages of his rehab again.”

“He has been doing a lot of skill work and increased running exercises so it won’t be too long before he is training with the main senior group and playing football again.”

The no. 13 pick in the 2012 AFL National Draft, Lonergan has managed four AFL appearances in his debut season on the Gold Coast – with a broken wrist ruling him out of action for the first six premiership rounds. 

The 18-year-old Tasmanian showed glimpses of his talent in the side’s 31-point victory over the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium - collecting 17 touches, six marks, three clearances and four tackles for the afternoon.