Geelong Advertiser |NEWTOWN & Chilwell forward Jay Bett is no certainty to return this season as he continues to be troubled by a serious concussion suffered in the pre-season.
Bett's footy career has been on hold since he was knocked out in a practice match almost three months ago.
While slowly improving, the key forward, who is seeing a neurological physiotherapist in Melbourne, is yet to get the all-clear to return to training.
Eagles coach David Wojcinski admits the best-case scenario for Bett would be a late-season comeback, given how much conditioning he has lost in recent months.
"He's getting better. It was good to see him this week around the club — he just looks better in the face when you look at him and talk to him," Wojcinski said.
"But he's still a while away because he would have lost a lot of his fitness. That's the sad part.
"He had a really good pre-season, he was fit and flying and then copped that knock and it's really set him back.
"It's still a waiting game.
"He's still getting over that (knock), and once he gets the all-clear to start training again, it's going to be at least another month to get some form and fitness and conditioning before he can start playing again.
"It will be late in the season if he gets back and plays."
Bett has been told 10 to 20 per cent of people who suffer concussion experience prolonged symptoms like his.
He spoke of the extent of his battle in April, almost six weeks after the incident, when he remained off work and was sensitive to light and sound.
Bett's setback, coupled with the long-term foot injury to forward dynamo Luke Forbes, has forced the Eagles to find other avenues to goal without their two most prolific scorers.
Forbes remains a strong chance to return this season after having surgery in January to break up a large build-up in his heel caused by plantar fasciitis.
The Eagles spread their 11 goals over 10 players in Saturday's hard-fought win over St Albans, pointing to an edge of unpredictability in their forward setup.
"We've got some smart footballers down there who know what they're doing," Wojcinski said.
"Forbes and Bett are two quality players and they're obviously deeply missed at the moment, but we seem to be going well without them and if we get them back it's a bonus."
Jarrod McCorkell was unable to finish Saturday's match through injury, but Wojcinski is confident he will get up for this week's clash against South Barwon.
"It was more precaution in the end. We wanted fit players at the end when it was tight. I think he will be OK," he said.
