The Kookaburras have been dealt an injury blow 15 months out from the 2012 London Olympics, with 4 time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer sidelined at least for the next 3-4 months with a knee injury.

Dwyer, the gold medal hero for the Kookaburras at the 2004 Athens Olympics and currently the best player in the world, suffered an injury to his left knee when it was twisted during a tackle while playing for his club side Bloemendaal in the Netherlands last week.

After receiving an MRI in the Netherlands Dwyer returned home to Perth over the weekend where he received another MRI which revealed a tear and damage to his articular cartilage.

In positive news, the MRI revealed no damage to his ACL or meniscus.

Dwyer will receive an operation to sew the torn cartilage and receive an arthroscope in Perth on Thursday 14 April.

Dwyer will be on crutches and not able to compete in weight loading exercise such as running for 5-6 weeks and is not expected to begin training for 3-4 months. More information and a better time frame of his return and the severity of his injury will not be known until after his surgery. 

Dwyer also suffered an ACL injury to his left knee in the lead up to the 2004 Athens Olympics where he went on to star and help deliver the Kookaburras their first ever Olympic gold medal.

Dwyer said while he is obviously frustrated by the injury, he is determined to ensure his body is 100% as soon as possible.

“I’m obviously disappointed with the setback but now all I can do is look forward to getting my body 100%. My biggest priority now is to get my knee right and have no issues with it over the next few years so that there is no issue with selection heading towards the London Olympics,” said Dwyer.

Hockey Australia