Giants' Josh Kelly heads to Ireland to continue hip surgery recovery
The 31-year-old missed all of 2026 after hip resurfacing and is now heading to specialised rehab in Ireland.
Josh Kelly will travel to Ireland next week to continue his comeback from a career-threatening hip injury. The Greater Western Sydney veteran had hip resurfacing surgery last November, the same operation Andy Murray used to save his tennis career.
Kelly missed the entire 2026 season and has been running for a few months. Kelly targets an early 2027 return, though the Giants have no set timeline yet.
Jack Buckley, a defender for the Giants, just finished intensive rehabilitation with sports physiotherapist Dr Enda King. Buckley missed the end of 2026 with a long-term hamstring injury and will follow a modified training plan through Christmas.
- 31
- Age
- November 2025
- Surgery date
- 2026
- Season missed
- Dublin, Ireland
- Specialist location
Why it mattersKelly's recovery path shows how elite sports use overseas specialists to speed returns from major surgery.
AustraliaGWS fans get hope Kelly might play early next season after missing 2026, though the club is taking no chances with his recovery.
