Sheezel admits it could be “season over” after suffering ankle injury

North Melbourne star Harry Sheezel won’t play in Round 23 against the Western Bulldogs after injuring his ankle in last Saturday’s loss to West Coast in Hobart.

Sheezel suffered the injury in the first half of the game but managed to play out the contest, finishing with 31 disposals and two goals.

While he admits he won’t face the Dogs this Sunday – despite his wishes – he says he’s going to do all he can to get up for the club’s final match of the 2024 season against Hawthorn in Launceston.

“No, I don't think I will play this week with the ankle,” Sheezel told *SEN Afternoons.

“I'm probably going to miss this week. I'll give myself every chance to maybe play the last game against the Hawks, but it could be season over.

“We'll see, I'll give myself a chance, we're just going to play it day by day. Obviously, I want to play every game that I'm available to play and it's the last game of the year, so it might not make that much of a difference.

“I don’t think it can get too much worse if I was to play on it, so I'm definitely going to try.”

Luckily, Sheezel confirmed that his injury isn’t serious and that he’s not set for surgery despite currently being in a moon boot.

“I think it was a bit of both (being kicked and having my ankle) twisted because of the impact,” Sheezel said.

“They haven't even mentioned surgery, so that's a positive … you want to get rid of the inflammation and the swelling in the ankle, that’s why I’m in the moon boot.

“Hopefully the swelling comes down in the next two days … I’ve been making jokes that I’ll get up (and play this weekend) to the physios, but I don’t think they want me risking it this week.

“But I’m basically pain-free… it’s definitely good signs early.”

Sheezel is yet to miss an AFL game since being taken with pick No. 3 in the 2022 Draft.

The 19-year-old is averaging 29.8 disposals, 6.3 marks, 3.8 tackles and 0.7 goals a game in 2024 as he pushes for a maiden All-Australian blazer.