Nathan Drummond Biography

Nathan Drummond will suit up for Footscray in the VFL in 2019, hoping an injury-free season will lead him back to an AFL club.

"At the moment I'm just trying to focus on getting through a full season at a good level," Drummond said.

"I feel like my best footy is ahead of me, I just need that opportunity and a bit of a break with injury and a bit of luck to be able to perform."

Nathan Drummond is delisted by Richmond.

Drummond returned from his second knee reconstruction in 2018 but was then hampered by repeated hamstring issues that eventually required reinforcement surgery.

He played just five games at AFL level after being drafted in the third round of the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.

"I really feel for Nathan, he has had a rotten run with injuries," Tigers football manager Neil Balme said.

"He has suffered two serious knee injuries since joining the AFL system and has struggled to consistently play football.

"He has always held his head high and been the ultimate professional, even when he was going through tough patches."

Nathan Drummond will attempt to restart his career in Richmond's forward line when he returns from a second knee reconstruction in 2018.

"You can consider him a bit of a mid, a bit of a forward," Richmond assistant coach Justin Leppitsch said.

"Obviously, his first thing is to get back from his knee and get confidence in himself and that belief again in his performance, that's first and foremost, but we feel there's a gap there for Drummo to fit into."

Nathan Drummond has suffered his second serious knee injury in as many years and will require another knee reconstruction that will sideline him for up to 12 months.

Drummond ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his 'good' left knee playing in the VFL and underwent scans that confirmed the club's fears.

"We've got complete faith in the kid that he'll get back on and get to it, the way he did his rehab last time," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.

"It's a long way back from a knee 'reco', but we're very confident with the type of kid he is that he'll get back and play some good footy for us at some stage."

Nathan Drummond will have scans on his 'good' left knee amid concerns he may have suffered another ruptured ACL.

Drummond was carried from the field in the Tigers' VFL clash with Sandringham with a left knee injury.

It comes almost two years to the day after the 22-year-old suffered a ruptured ACL in his right knee in his senior debut, against Melbourne in the 2015 Anzac Day eve clash.

Nathan Drummond signs a one-year contract extension with Richmond that will take him through to the end of 2017 as he closes in on his return from a knee reconstruction.

"Nathan’s commitment to his rehabilitation has been impressive and we can’t wait to see him return to the field this year," Richmond football manager Dan Richardson said.

"He has progressed well over the pre-season and is a promising young player for our club. We’re really pleased to extend his contract."

Nathan Drummond hopes a visit to world-renowned knee specialist Bill Knowles in the US will help him return to full training next month as the young Tiger recovers from a knee reconstruction.

Knowles has worked with such stars as Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning and, in 2013, helped Adelaide skipper Taylor Walker recover from a similar knee injury.

Drummond spent almost two weeks abroad in December, visiting Knowles in New York before catching the train to Philadelphia to begin training.

“The first few days were just a lot about athletic positions and trying to lengthen my hip and trying to straighten my knee back out," Drummond said about his rehabilitation in the US.

“(It) then progressed into gymnastics and sprints and agility, and then at the end of the week a bit of jumping and landing, which was good because that’s how I did my knee.

“I was a bit nervous doing a couple of jumping things, but once I fell and got a couple of hits it was a good confidence booster for me.”

Nathan Drummond visits renowned knee rehabilitation specialist Bill Knowles in America as part of his recovery from the ACL injury.

Drummond ran laps at Punt Road on Friday morning and the club's physical performance manager Peter Burge said they were rapt with his progress.

"It's going fantastically well," Burge said.

"He had a very, very specifically targeted program over the Christmas break and this week we are starting to see him progress to another level with, his change of direction, his confidence and his ability to jump and land."

Scans confirm that Nathan Drummond has a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Drummong suffered the injury to his right knee after landing awkwardly in a marking contest just before half-time of his side's 32-point loss to the Demons.

"Nathan has worked so hard to get his opportunity to play at AFL level, and it's extremely unfortunate that he will have to wait until next year to get another opportunity," Richmond football manager Dan Richardson said.

"He is a strong character, and we expect he will be diligent with his rehab program to give him the best chance of making a return."

Nathan Drummond makes his AFL debut for Richmond at the MCG with 5 disposals (4 kicks and a handball), a mark and 2 tackles in a 32-point loss to Melbourne.

The Tigers boost their midfield depth with the NAB AFL Draft after picking up inside midfielder Corey Ellis with their No.12 pick as well as outside midfielder Connor Menadue, the versatile Nathan Drummond and small forward Daniel Butler, who in time will also play through the middle.

"The coach was really keen to add some midfield depth to enable some players to play some different roles, and we feel we've addressed that," Tigers recruiting manager Francis Jackson said.

"They're all a little bit different in their own right.

"We're delighted with the combination. We're generally really pleased with the outcome and look forward to these boys coming to Tiger land."