An injury-riddled eighteen months of football has done nothing to dampen the spirits of Gold Coast SUNS midfielder Jesse Lonergan.

Recruited as a ready-made replacement for departed SUN Josh Caddy, the No. 13 pick from the 2012 national draft came to Carrara with huge wraps. 

The youngster has endured a frustrating start to his AFL football life, with Lonergan limited to just four AFL appearances in his debut campaign as wrist and hamstring injuries conspired against him. 

After an injury-free pre-season, the spotlight was back on the 19-year-old Tasmanian, having shown all the signs he was ready to atone for his forgettable rookie season.

Fitter, faster and noticeably leaner, Lonergan was expected to add toughness alongside regular ball winners Gary Ablett, Jaeger O’Meara, Dion Prestia and David Swallow. 

It was a case of déjà vu for the teenager last month, re-injuring the same wrist he broke on the same playing field almost twelve months prior. 

Thankfully, scans revealed only minor damage, and a successful clean-up on the surgeon’s table meant Lonergan was back to wearing the  No. 37 guernsey just three weeks later.

GC SUNS conditioning coach, Max Kennedy, updated SUNS TV on Lonergan’s injury status, assuring fans the likeable Gold Coast player was on a steady climb back to the top 22.

“Jesse made his return against Sydney (reserves) on the SCG last week, against quality opposition,” he said.

“It was good to see him back in the midfield and just as pleasing to see him contribute well around the ground.”

Restricted to just three quarters of play, Kennedy said the club’s high performance staff opted to manage Lonergan’s return to competitive football.

“With all our players we look closely at physical loading and we decided three quarters would be enough for him,” Kennedy said.

“He got a bit sore but that’s probably not a bad thing as his hand got a real test on the field.

“He pulled up fine after the game which suggests to us he is on the right track.”