Doubt surrounding playing future of Collingwood forward Elliott

Jamie Elliott’s vascular issue has reportedly placed his playing future in some doubt.

The Collingwood forward has not played since Round 8 after experiencing foot soreness which was later revealed to be a “minor vascular issue”.

It is unclear when Elliott will be able to return in season 2024 and there are even some minor doubts relating to his playing future ongoing, according to Channel 9 journalist and SEN regular Tom Morris.

“The latest on Jamie Elliott at the moment, Collingwood are playing their cards very close to their chest,” Morris said on Channel 9’s Footy Furnace.

“There are people around Jamie Elliott who are doubtful whether he’ll be able to play football in the short-term, the mid-term or even at all again.

“We hope this is not the case. He’s contracted until the end of next year. But there are doubts around this vascular issue that appears to be affecting him.

“He’s certainly one to watch. We hope that Jamie Elliott can get back.

“Now the narrative has changed. A few weeks ago we were expecting him back in maybe two, three or four weeks. Now there’s really no idea when he’s going to be able to get back at all and whether he’ll be able to get back this season.

“Which is a concern for Collingwood because they definitely need their best players out there and he’s certainly one of them.”

Morris added on SEN Breakfast: “It could be career-threatening.

“That’s what people around him tell me. No one can tell me when he’s going to be back.

“It’s an open question.”

Elliott’s former coach Nathan Buckley provided some further information surrounding the premiership forward.

“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,” said Buckley.

“Then he’d take his boot off and it (his foot) was black. So that’s enough of 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.

“That’s something that’s a deeper issue, we take it for granted that our blood is going to flow through our body and give us the best chance just to be upright.

“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.

“He’s been here before and he’s dug himself out, that would be the only concern is, ‘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.”

Elliott, 31, has played eight games for a return of 14 goals which remains the third most for the Magpies this season.