I missed seeing this in the news last week. Seems odd that the WA press had not mentioned it.
could be behind a paywall
"Fremantle defender Joel Hamling will miss the entire 2020 season after suffering another setback as the frustration surrounding the Dockers’ extensive injury list continues to rise.
"Hamling, who was so critical to the Western Bulldogs’ 2016 flag success before joining the Dockers the following year, had surgery in February following a training mishap, then required another operation in May.
But it is understood the 27-year-old will now need a third operation which has ended his season, despite the club’s website listing his estimated return time as “TBA” (to be announced).
Hamling and his management team will meet with Dockers officials on Wednesday to plot the next move aimed at getting him back for Round 1, 2021.
Young said last August: “I have serious concerns on how the club rehabilitates its players (and) it’s my opinion that this area of the club needs an immediate review.
“Immediate changes need to be made or the club is going nowhere.”
Hamling had been looking at a Victorian surgeon for his third surgery, but the state’s alarming COVID-19 spike and the closed borders put an end to that plan.
It is understood his leg became infected when he was in the Dockers’ Queensland hub.
Before this year, Hamling had only missed four games for the Dockers since returning home to Perth after helping the Dogs win that fairytale 2016 flag.
But his 2020 season now is a wipeout and he won’t play again until next year."
