WEST Coast will send a trio of players to the United States in the next month to work with a world-renowned rehabilitation and reconditioning expert as they look to return from serious knee injuries next season. 

Small forward Noah Long, midfielder Deven Robertson and young wingman Sam Allen will all travel to Philadelphia during their off-season period to work with Bill Knowles, who has helped several AFL stars return from knee and lower leg injuries. 

The Eagles were encouraged to send their trio to work with Knowles after the success that champion ruck Nic Naitanui had in the specialist program after back-to-back ACL injuries in 2016 and 2018. 

Naitanui worked with Knowles following both injuries and returned to win club champion awards in 2020 and 2021, as well as back-to-back All-Australian selections in those seasons. 

Knowles also worked with young Carlton star Jagga Smith in the final stages of his recovery from an ACL injury, with the midfielder returning in 2026 to win the Telstra AFL Rising Star Award.

There is optimism at West Coast that working with Knowles will give the trio the best possible chance of making successful playing returns in 2027 as the club looks to accelerate its rebuild.  

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Long dislocated his left knee during a match simulation against Fremantle in February, escaping ACL damage but requiring reconstructions for multiple other ligaments as well as meniscus repair. 

The 22-year-old's start to 2027 could still be delayed after a small setback in his recovery over the off-season. 

Robertson, meanwhile, is returning from an ACL injury that he suffered against Geelong during Gather Round this year, with the former Brisbane midfielder on track to return during the early rounds. 

Deven Robertson is seen with medical staff during the match between Geelong and West Coast at Norwood Oval in round five, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

Allen arrived at West Coast ahead of 2026 after suffering an ACL injury during his draft year and was on track to return halfway through the season before a high-grade hamstring injury that required surgery ended his debut campaign. 

The athletic wingman was recruited with pick No.29 in last year's National Draft and signed a one-year contract extension through to the end of 2028. 

All three players are making the significant investment of travelling to seek specialist support during their off-season breaks, with the players due back to start pre-season training from early next month. 

As well as Naitanui and Smith, Knowles has also worked with Gold Coast star Christian Petracca and renowned international sporting stars including Tiger Woods, Andy Murray, Peyton Manning and Frank Lampard.