Magpies trio fly to Ireland for ACL rehab with Dr Enda King
Injured Collingwood veteran Jamie Elliott is traveling to Dublin alongside young ruckman Oscar Steene and key defender Reef McInnes for a five-day intensive rehabilitation program with sports physiotherapist Dr Enda King, afl.com.au reported.
Knee Reconstructions Prompt Trip to Ireland
The three Magpies players are all recovering from ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments and will be accompanied by a member of the club’s high performance department next week. King holds a PhD and MSc, and serves as head of elite performance and development at Aspetar in Doha, Qatar. Over the past decade, King has worked with various AFL players and clubs, including Carlton, Geelong, Gold Coast, Richmond, Sydney, Essendon, Greater Western Sydney, West Coast, and Collingwood star Jordan De Goey. Last off-season, King worked inside the West Coast Eagles’ headquarters with their medical staff.
“This is a great opportunity for Jamie, Reef and Oscar to head to Ireland as a part of their ACL recoveries,” Collingwood head of high performance Jarrod Wade told afl.com.au on Tuesday. “They are all at varying points of their rehab and this provides them with the chance to work with world-renowned sports physiotherapist Enda King to gain different insights into how different athletes recover from ACL injuries and utilise the innovative methods Enda uses to optimise their rehab.”
Collingwood is sending Jamie Elliott to Dublin next week for a five-day intensive program with ACL rehab specialist Enda King, along with Reef McInnes & Oscar Steene @AFLcomau https://t.co/LIkIUcPeDy
Recovery Timelines and Player Backgrounds
Elliott tore his ACL during the final minutes of a round 11 win over West Coast, an afternoon when Scott Pendlebury broke the all-time VFL/AFL games record at the MCG. Elliott turned 34 in August and enters 2027 in the final year of his contract, with the club targeting a return midway through next season. In 2025, Elliott kicked a career-high 60 goals, earned selection in the All-Australian squad, and finished fourth in the Copeland Trophy.
Steene suffered his ACL injury the week before Elliott, following a run of eight straight games after making his debut against Greater Western Sydney in round three. McInnes ruptured his opposite ACL on Anzac Day during his fourth VFL match back from a previous knee reconstruction.
“Enda is considered one of the worldwide leaders in ACL rehabilitation and research,” Wade told afl.com.au. “His knowledge and expertise on knee injuries will be beneficial for our three players, with the five-day program to provide the players with insight into how they are tracking but also gives our travelling staff the opportunity to learn and upskill. Given the longer timeframe of an ACL recovery, it is also a great for the three players to have time away from the club together and refresh ahead of the next season.”
Collingwood intends to document Elliott’s recovery journey and share it with fans upon the group’s return from Ireland.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.