Ararat Rats product Tom Williamson has endured another setback in his young AFL career, with ongoing back issues taking their toll on the Carlton defender.
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20-year-old Williamson has been ruled out for an "indefinite" amount of time, and will miss at least the next six weeks of the season.
"He certainly won't play for the next 4-6 weeks so at this stage, he's indefinite," Blues high performance director Andrew Russell said.
"We'll have to assess to see if he gets back before the end of the season."
Williamson has been struck down by the same back issue that kept him out for Carlton's AFL campaign in 2018.
After more than 600 days between senior games, the young defender made his return to top-flight competition against North Melbourne in early May this year.
He managed just two matches before re-injuring his back against Collingwood in round eight this year.
"Tom Williamson's back hasn't settled as well as we'd hoped. He's got some bone stress in that back, which is unfortunate for him," Russell said.
Williamson played 15 games in his debut season in 2017 after being taken with pick 61 at the 2016 AFL draft by Carlton from Ararat.
TOM'S TOUGH TIME
- November 2016: Blues pick Williamson
- April 2017: Williamson enjoys debut success
- June 2017: Young Blue extends contract
- March 2018: Back injury sidelines Williamson
- May 2018: Injury rules Williamson out for season after VFL return
- March 2019: Former Rat on road to recovery
- April 2019: Tom makes triumphant return
- May 2019: Williamson back into senior side
- May 2019: Back injury strikes again after two senior games
He sustained a back injury during the AFLX preseason competition last year and attempted to return through the VFL but was ruled out for the year with the same back concerns.
Williamson posted on Instagram to his 7000 followers after the most recent setback, vowing to bounce back.
"Footy's a tough game, I'll keep working," he wrote.
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