Racing
League
Rugby
Football
Cricket
Golf
Sport Nation
Olympics
Motorsport
Netball
Combat Sports
Basketball
Other Sports
Star Saint’s unusual injury rarely seen in the AFL
Andrew Slevison • July 8th, 2026 1:43 pm
St Kilda’s Jack Sinclair has explained the unusual injury that struck him down a few weeks ago.
The Saints co-captain suffered a serious calf issue in the Round 15 loss to the Western Bulldogs which will sideline him for the remainder of the season.
Sinclair, who is nicknamed ’Pins’ because of his massive calf muscles, copped torn ligaments in an injury that is not seen often on these shores.
The 31-year-old says it was an innocuous incident that just blew up, and one not seen all that often in AFL circles.
“It was a bit of a funny one, it came out of the blue,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“I felt great in the lead-up, the incident was pretty innocuous. I was going back then just pushed off my back foot to go forward and felt all the tension go with my soleus shooting up into my calf. It was pretty swollen and painful the next day.
“I’ve torn both ligaments - the lateral and medial - tendons in my calf. I’ve got tears in my soleus as well.
“It’s pretty significant. I don’t think they’ve seen much of it in Australia before, definitely not in AFL. I’ll be a while out but I’ll be back, no worries.
“In terms of timeframe it will be around that 12-week mark. If we were pushing in season then we’d be pushing to get back, but given we’re not I’m not sure what it will be in the end.
“Hopefully I’ll be back around the start of pre-season and I’ll be good to go.”
Sinclair, who can still barely walk and has been having the calf drained, gave further context as to just how unusual the injury is.
“A lot of these injuries have been seen in stronger, power athletes,” Sinclair added.
“A lot of rugby players are the main ones, and a few basketballers and soccer players.
“Potentially my calves might have saved my achilles from going as well. It’s been a bit of a funny one to deal with but I should be fine in a few months.”
The two-time All-Australian and two-time best and fairest says he’s had a pretty good run with injuries over his career
“I’ve been so lucky over the years. I missed about three games in my first 11 and a half years of footy before this one,” Sinclair said of his previous luck.
“It’s not ideal, clearly, but looking back I’m pretty grateful for the luck I’ve had over the journey.
“At a different stage now watching on but hopefully the boys can finish off the year strongly without me.”
Injury aside, Sinclair commented on current Saints assistant coach Corey Enright who has emerged as a potential candidate for some of the coaching vacancies around the AFL, including Carlton and Essendon.
Sinclair is a massive fan of the Geelong great.
“Yeah, I do,” was Sinclair’s reply when asked if he believes Enright is ready to coach at senior level.
“He’s been great ever since he came in. Early days he wasn’t sure it was something he wanted to do but I couldn’t speak more highly of him.
“He’s a great coach, a great person, he’s so smart, he knows so much about footy. The way he delivers messages is so impressive, he just simplifies the game and makes it so easy to understand when so many people try to complicate things. He’s such a great teacher.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if over the next little while he’ll be right in the mix.”
The Saints, without their joint skipper, meet Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they strive to force their way into the wildcard spots.
