Collingwood provide new update on Jamie Elliott amid retirement concerns around AFL star

Collingwood have provided a new timeline for Jamie Elliott's return to the field amid concerns he might have played his last game. The AFL premiership player has been on the sidelines since Round 8 with a vascular issue in his foot, and the Magpies initially stated he'd be out for between two and four weeks.

But the club later backtracked on that and his return was thrown into huge doubt. On Sunday night, leading reporter Tom Morris revealed on Channel 9 program 'Footy Furnace' that those close to Elliott were "doubtful" that he'll ever play again and he might have to retire.

Morris elaborated on SEN radio on Monday morning, saying: “No one can really say when Jamie Elliott will be back from the vascular issue. It could be career-threatening. No one can tell me when he’s going to be back.

"This (injury) started as 2-4 weeks, according to Collingwood, now it’s TBC (to be confirmed). There’s two elements - one is when is he going to be fit to play? And two - does he have the will to get back and desperately want to play again?”

Collingwood provide new update on Jamie Elliott injury

However Collingwood have since moved to ease concerns over the 31-year-old's future, saying the issue - which has hampered blood supply to his foot - is nearly resolved. The Pies revealed on Tuesday afternoon they're hopeful Elliott will be back in 6-8 more weeks.

“Some of the follow-up testing he has had for the vascular issue has shown us that the issue has resolved or is almost getting to the point of getting 95 per cent resolved,” Collingwood fitness boss Jarrod Wade said. “We know that now he has had a long lay off and he has not been able to run for the past five or six weeks he will now need a block of work.”

Nathan Buckley shines new light on Jamie Elliott issue

Former Collingwood captain and coach Nathan Buckley provided further details of what Elliott has been dealing with on Monday. Buckley said Elliott wasn't getting enough blood supply to his foot during games, and it was leaving his foot black.

“The only thing I know about his injury is that he was coming off for a couple of weeks midway through a second quarter and couldn’t feel his foot,” Buckley said on SEN. “He’d take his boot off and it (his foot) was black. That’s a concern, you know something’s not right. They were able to find the vascular issue, which is basically blood flow into and out of his foot.”

The 31-year-old has dealt with a number of injuries throughout his 187-game career, but managed to play a career-high 24 games last season and helped the Pies win the premiership. “He has had long-term injuries at different stages of his career and he’s withstood a great deal, he’s gone through that and become a premiership player. He missed seasons on end at times at different stages,” Buckley added.

“He’s been here before and he’s dug himself out, of it. That would be the only concern: ‘Is this something I can dig myself out of?’. Only time will tell with that, they need a bit more time than they’ve had.”

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Jamie Elliott's premiership triumph after difficult journey

Elliott's premiership triumph in 2023 capped his personal journey in the best way possible. He celebrated with his mum and sister in the Collingwood rooms after the game and paid tribute to his late father.

"The last 12 years have had plenty of ups and plenty of downs," he wrote in a social media post. "These are just a few people in my life who’ve been by my side during my journey. Was one of the best experiences I’ve been a part of and couldn’t of asked for better people to celebrate with. Makes it all worth it."

Elliott's sister Caitlin wrote: “Fast forward and here you are with an AFL premiership medal around your neck. Bursting with pride. I can’t put into words how happy I am for you.

“Growing up along side you for 30 years, going through some very dark times but also amazing ones. Watching you become an incredible role model and proud uncle. The way you’ve been pulled down but get back up 10x harder. Wish dad was here to see this. You deserve this."