How Front Runner Physio can help AFL athletes

From working with AFL Premiership teams, to State League and Amateur football as well as juniors, our physiotherapists understand the game and the physical demands of AFL. 

Specialised AFL physiotherapy helps optimise recovery, prevent recurrence, and enhance athletic performance across pre-season, in-season, and return-to-play phases following soft tissue injuries, joint trauma and overuse injuries.

Meet your AFL experts

  • A smiling man wearing a black polo shirt with yellow text that says 'Front Runner', standing in front of a wall with a large sign with the words 'Root' and 'Stretch', and a silhouette of a person.

    Steve Gravina

    CLINICAL DIRECTOR

    Former West Coast Eagles team physiotherapist for eight seasons, including their 2018 AFL premiership. Expert in elite-level injury prevention, rehab, and integrated performance support. 

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  • A young man smiling and wearing a black polo shirt with 'Front Runner' in yellow text, standing in front of a wall with a large metallic sign that says 'DIREN'.

    Ben D'Arcy-Evans

    PHYSIOTHERAPIST

    Ben is the current head Physiotherapist for the Subiaco Football Club in the WAFL. Ben’s background includes experience with the Claremont Football Club WAFLW program and the West Coast Eagles in a Sport’s Trainer role.

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  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a black shirt with yellow text that says 'Front Runner' standing in front of a wall with metallic letters and a silhouette logo.

    Phoebe Freeman

    SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPIST
     
    Former head physiotherapist for Subiaco FC in the WAFL, and one of WA’s leading experts in concussion management. Current lead physiotherapist at WAIS.

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    Luke Parker

    PHYSIOTHERAPIST

    Footballer, coach, and athletics coach with expertise in high-speed running rehab and tailored AFL return-to-play programs.

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  • A smiling man with a beard and short hair, wearing a black polo shirt with yellow text that reads 'Front Runner'. He stands in front of a wall with a logo and large metallic letters spelling 'Roden' and some additional text.

    Kieren Hill

    SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPIST

    Former WAFL and State Academy physio with a focus on return-to-play testing and pre-season screening. Currently completing his PhD at Notre Dame University investigating ACL injuries.

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  • A smiling man with short brown hair and a mustache, wearing a black polo shirt with yellow text that says "Front Runner," stands in front of a wall with large metallic letters.

    Jack Andringa-Bate

    SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

    Former footballer and now close to completing his PhD from La Trobe University, investigating changes within the nervous system post-hamstring injury. An industry expert in the management of soft tissue injuries in Australian Football.

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Our approach

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    Injury assessment, treatment & rehabilitation

    Comprehensive assessments, targeted treatment, and structured rehab guide players from injury to full return-to-play, reducing recurrence and optimising performance.

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    Injury prevention and baseline testing

    Functional screening and VALD Forcedecks technology establish performance benchmarks, identify risk factors, and inform safe, data-driven return-to-play decisions.

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    Strength & conditioning integration

    Football-specific programs build strength, resilience, mobility, and speed, preparing players for the repeated sprinting, collisions, and endurance demands of AFL.

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    Pre-season/off-season conditioning

    Tailored off-season and pre-season programs enhance aerobic capacity and football-specific conditioning for peak match performance.

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  • Australian football players sitting on the bench, one player holding a towel to his face and appearing emotional, teammates and staff nearby in team gear.
  • A person in a blue and yellow sports uniform walking on a sports field, surrounded by officials and spectators.
  • Two Australian Rules football players on the field, one lying face down with dreadlocks and the other kneeling, appears to be helping or checking on his teammate. They are wearing blue and yellow uniforms. The grassy field has advertisements and banners in the background.
  • A shirtless male athlete with a bandaged shoulder is being attended to by two medical personnel on a sports field. The personnel are wearing blue and yellow uniforms, and one is applying a patch or sticker to the athlete's shoulder. The background shows a fenced sports facility with some spectators.
  • A male Australian rules football player being attended to by two medical staff members wearing pink vests during a game, with a crowd in the background.