Jesse Lonergan is expected to be available after the mid-season break after scans revealed he sustained a hamstring strain against Hawthorn on Sunday afternoon.

It was a bittersweet result for Lonergan, who has demonstrated to fans why he was taken with the club’s first pick in the 2012 AFL Draft after coming off a career-high 17 disposal performance against the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium.

The 18-year-old has experienced a roller-coaster start to this debut AFL season, having already spent six-weeks on the sidelines after suffering a broken wrist in the Gold Coast’s 25-point victory over Melbourne at Southport Sharks in their final NAB Cup Challenge earlier this year.

GC SUNS General Manager of Football Operations – Marcus Ashcroft, updated goldcoastfc.com.au on Lonergan’s hamstring injury.

“Unfortunately for Jesse he will miss a month of football after suffering a hamstring injury against Hawthorn last weekend.”

“Being such a young player we will take a conservative approach to his rehabilitation, ensuring he recovers full from his injury before he resumes playing.

Ashcroft is confident Lonergan will come back bigger and better after the bye round, and expected the Tasmanian to be fully fit for the side’s Round 14 clash against Adelaide at Metricon Stadium.

“Jesse has made an impressive start to his AFL career, and has achieved a lot in a short period of time,” said Ashcroft.

“We know he will come back better than ever.”