Fremantle Dockers veteran Jaeger O’Meara reveals gruesome toll of facial fractures

Jaeger O’Meara has revealed the gruesome toll of his latest brutal injury setback.

The Dockers’ most experienced player was ruled out of the western derby on Wednesday after sustaining multiple facial fractures following an unlucky contact incident at training.

The veteran was left downed in the midst of a drill at the Dockers’ main session on Wednesday morning, prompting a brief pause as he was attended to.

He was eventually able to sit up and get to his feet under his own steam, though he left Victor George Kailis Oval on a cart.

O’Meara took to Instagram on Thursday to reveal the extent of the damage to his face.

The left side of the 32-year-old’s head has been left bruised, his eye swollen shut. There is also substantial swelling along his jawline.

It’s a disappointing blow for O’Meara, who had shown strong form since returning from a hamstring complaint to start the season.

Fremantle Executive General Manager of Football Joe Brierty called the incident “innocuous”.

“Unfortunately, this was one of those innocuous incidents at training, and you feel for Jaeger, who’s such a professional,” said Brierty.

“He’s a popular and valued leader at Fremantle, and we’ll put all the support he needs around him while he recovers.

“Our medical team will now consult with the appropriate specialists to consider if surgery is necessary, and we will then set the appropriate return to play timelines.”

There is no current timeline on the veteran’s return to play with Fremantle facing West Coast, Carlton, Western Bulldogs and the Hawks in the coming four weeks.