Improving youngster Joel Reynolds will undergo groin surgery tomorrow, bringing his season to a premature end. Reynolds has been struggling with osteitis pubis for much of the season but he has finally succumbed to the condition. ""We have tried to manage it in recent weeks but it has got to the stage where we couldn’t put the surgery off any longer,"" Essendon football manager Dom Cato said. ""By having the surgery now, it will ensure he is fully recovered come pre-season 2004,"" Cato said.

Reynolds played 14 senior games this season. He collected 108 possessions during that time, took 39 marks and kicked two goals. He has now played a total of 23 senior games.

""His maintenance has been a challenge for both the match committee and the medical staff,"" Essendon assistant coach Robert Shaw said. ""Being six foot two, quick and a long kick he is the type of player we are looking to develop as part of our midfield structure.""

""He has had limited game time at stages this season and it has been a real balancing act. In the end we thought we have seen enough of him. We know he can play so lets put him in the paddock and get him right for next season. He will now do a full pre-season and that is very important. The kid might be anything but he won't be if he doesn't get a full pre-season under his belt - every player needs that under their belt.""