AFL Physiotherapy
Melbourne
There's a difference between a physio who treats footballers and a team of physiotherapists who have worked inside AFL clubs, making return-to-play decisions in the country's highest level of football.
Proud to be associated with
The Services We Provide to Elite Athletes Are Now Available to Everyone.
At Performe Sports Medicine, our physiotherapy team brings experience from across the AFL system.
Collectively, our team has managed elite footballers across AFL, AFLW, VFL and high-performance environments. The same clinical reasoning, rehabilitation standards and return-to-play frameworks used in professional football are available to every footballer who walks through our doors, from local league players to juniors chasing a draft opportunity.
Book an AppointmentOur AFL physiotherapy team
Lachlan Fooks spent 17 years at Collingwood Football Club, including as Head Physiotherapist.
Ben Shipperd works as Head Physiotherapist at St Kilda Football Club after more than a decade at Collingwood.
Josh Boehm has progressed from roles across Collingwood's VFL and AFLW programs into a full-time physiotherapy position at North Melbourne Football Club.
Laura Fazzari worked across both the AFL and AFLW programs at St Kilda and combines elite sports injury management with advanced expertise in concussion assessment and rehabilitation.
Tom O'Connor has worked with VAFA players and umpires and recently completed his Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy Masters placement with Hawthorn Football Club.
Led by physiotherapists with AFL and AFLW experience
Our clinicians have worked within professional football environments where every rehabilitation decision matters. Across multiple AFL clubs and elite programs, they've managed the exact injuries footballers commonly experience, including hamstring strains, groin and adductor injuries, syndesmosis sprains, shoulder dislocations, knee injuries and concussion, all while balancing performance, recovery and return-to-play timelines.
Return-to-play decisions are evidence-based, not guesswork.
AFL clubs use structured criteria before players return to competition. We apply the same approach using strength benchmarks, running load progression and change-of-direction testing before you're cleared.
We understand the demands of football.
Repeat high-speed running, contested marking, tackling load and position-specific movement all influence rehabilitation. Your program is designed around the actual demands of your game, not a generic injury protocol.
We know when to push and when to hold.
One of the biggest challenges in football rehabilitation is reducing the risk of re-injury while still returning athletes to competition as early and safely as possible. Our rehabilitation is designed to achieve both.
Simply click through to our booking platform to reserve your appointment with one of our sports physiotherapists.
Book an Appointment
Lachlan FooksOur Head of Physiotherapy
We are committed to providing outstanding patient care in a friendly and welcoming environment.
Common AFL injuries we treat
Our Melbourne sports physiotherapists diagnose and treat a wide range of sporting injuries and musculoskeletal conditions. If your injury isn't listed, contact us. We cover the full spectrum of sports-related conditions.
- Hamstring strains: the most common AFL injury.
- ACL ruptures and knee injuries
- Groin and adductor pain (osteitis pubis, adductor tendinopathy)
- Ankle syndesmosis (“high ankle”) sprains
- Shoulder dislocations and AC joint injuries from tackles
- Calf strains, increasingly common in older players
- Quad strains and corks (contusions)
- Back pain in ruckmen and key-position players
Our approach to AFL rehab
- 01
Assess
Every footballer starts with a comprehensive assessment, including a detailed injury history, physical examination and objective testing. Where appropriate, we use advanced technology, including the VALD performance testing systems, to accurately measure strength, power and functional performance, helping guide diagnosis, monitor progress and inform safe return-to-play decisions.
- 02
Rehab in stages
From there, we develop a staged rehabilitation program with clear criteria for every progression, following the same evidence-based framework used within professional football environments.
- 03
One integrated team
Because Performe is a multidisciplinary sports medicine clinic, your physiotherapist can collaborate directly with our in-house sports and exercise physician for imaging, diagnosis and medical management, while working alongside our experienced strength and conditioning coaches to optimise your rehabilitation and prepare you for the physical demands of returning to football. Rather than being referred between multiple providers, your care is coordinated by one integrated high-performance team.
We're located in the Olympic Park precinct, a short trip from Richmond, Collingwood, East Melbourne and the CBD, and easy to reach by train for players across Melbourne.
Book an AppointmentHow long does an AFL hamstring injury take to recover?
It depends on the grade and location of the strain. Lower-grade strains typically return to full training in 2 to 4 weeks; higher-grade or tendon-involved strains can take 8 weeks or longer. We use strength and running benchmarks, not just time elapsed, to guide return to play, because returning on a calendar date rather than a criteria basis is the biggest driver of re-injury.
Do I need a referral to see an AFL/AFLW physio?
No. You can book directly with us. If imaging or a specialist opinion is needed, we can arrange that through our in-house sports medicine team.
Can you help me return to footy after an ACL reconstruction?
Yes. ACL rehab is one of our core services, and return-to-sport testing for cutting sports like AFL is a specific part of our Return to Sport Assessment. Most players need 9 to 12 months of structured rehab before meeting return criteria.
Do you treat local and junior footballers, or just elite players?
Both. The assessment standards are the same whether you play VFL, VFLW, local league, or juniors. The difference is we scale the program to your schedule, training load, and goals.
Where to find us
Performe Sports Medicine Address
Clinic Hours
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5:30pm
Getting Here
Performe Sports Medicine is located in Melbourne's Olympic Park area. Accessible by tram and public transport. Parking available nearby.
Get Back on the Park Sooner
Our AFL physiotherapy team is ready to assess your injury, set your return-to-play criteria and get you back playing. Book online or call the clinic to speak with a physiotherapist today.