When Jeremy Howe ran onto the MCG for Collingwood’s clash with Hawthorn in August 2025, he was returning from a groin injury that had kept him out for four weeks. Less than two minutes into the game, a collision with Hawthorn’s Jai Newcombe left him knocked out and taken off on a stretcher, sparking immediate concern among fans and questions about his future in the AFL.
Games played: 281 (as of 2025) · Height: 190 cm · Weight: 86 kg · AFL Debut: 2011 · Current Team: Collingwood Football Club
Quick snapshot
- Jeremy Howe suffered a concussion after a collision with Jai Newcombe (AFL (official league site))
- He was taken off on a stretcher and later cleared of further injury (AFL (official league site))
- The exact reason why Howe wears a sleeve during games remains unconfirmed (Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia))
- Whether he will return to peak form before the 2025 finals is uncertain (Collingwood FC (club’s official site))
- Howe’s adductor injury in June 2025 was initially described as a six-week injury, but he returned in four weeks (Collingwood FC (club’s official site))
- Howe is expected to enter the 12-day concussion protocol and miss at least one match (AFL (official league site))
Nine biographical points, one pattern: every number tells a part of his journey from a Tasmanian teenager to a 281-game AFL veteran.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jeremy Howe |
| Date of Birth | 29 June 1990 |
| Height | 190 cm |
| Weight | 86 kg |
| AFL Debut | 2011 |
| Current Team | Collingwood Football Club |
| Position | Defender / Forward |
| Games Played | 281 (as of 2025) |
| All-Australian Squad | 2017 |
What happened to Jeremy Howe?
Jeremy Howe’s concussion and the ‘black out’ episode
In the first term of Collingwood’s round 21 match against Hawthorn at the MCG, Howe contested a loose ball with Hawthorn midfielder Jai Newcombe. The two players collided head‑first, and Howe was immediately knocked unconscious. Medical staff rushed onto the field, and he was immobilised on a stretcher before being taken to hospital. The AFL (official league site) reported that Howe experienced a “black out” after hearing two chilling words about his condition – a detail that later emerged in his own account of the incident.
Collingwood’s medical team cleared Howe of structural damage overnight, but the psychological impact of a blackout at 35 years old may linger longer than the physical symptoms.
Howe’s recovery timeline
Collingwood football boss Charlie Gardiner told ABC News (Australian public broadcaster) that Howe returned home the same night and was “recovering well”. The club activated the AFL’s mandatory 12‑day concussion protocol, meaning Howe would miss at least the next game. Earlier in the season, Howe had already missed matches due to an adductor strain. The Collingwood FC (club’s official site) noted that he “shaved two weeks off” the initial six‑week prognosis for that groin injury, returning in early August – only to be concussed in his first game back.
Impact on his AFL career
Howe, who turns 35 in June 2025, is one of Collingwood’s most experienced defenders. The concussion raises questions about his durability heading into the finals series. ESPN noted that his return lasted “less than two minutes” before the collision ended his night. The pattern: a player who has overcome soft‑tissue setbacks now faces the unpredictable effects of concussion at an age when recovery times naturally lengthen.
Bottom line: Jeremy Howe’s immediate prognosis is good, but the blackout incident adds uncertainty to Collingwood’s defensive plans for the 2025 finals. The club must weigh his leadership against the league’s strict concussion protocols.
The implication: each setback tests Howe’s resilience, and his ability to return will define Collingwood’s backline depth.
Are Jeremy Howe and Matthew Wade related?
The family connection between Howe and Australian cricketer Matthew Wade
Yes, Jeremy Howe and Australian cricketer Matthew Wade are cousins. Both grew up in Tasmania and played elite sport – Howe in the AFL, Wade in international cricket. Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia) confirms the family tie, noting that their mothers are sisters. The duo have occasionally referenced each other in interviews, with Wade joking about Howe’s superior athleticism.
How Howe and Wade are related
Their mothers are siblings, making the two professional athletes first cousins. Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia) lists Wade’s birthplace as Hobart, Tasmania, the same state where Howe was born. The connection is a point of pride for Tasmanian sports fans, who can claim both an AFL stalwart and a World Cup‑winning cricketer from the same family tree.
Bottom line: The cousin relationship is well‑documented. It underscores the depth of athletic talent in one Tasmanian family.
What this means: the genetic link adds a human-interest layer to Howe’s profile, connecting two elite sports.
What band was Jeremy Howe in?
Jeremy Howe’s music career before AFL
Before he was a regular on AFL highlight reels, Howe was a guitarist in a band called Blast. The group played covers and original rock music in and around Hobart during his teenage years. According to Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia), Howe took music seriously enough to consider it as an alternative career path, but his draft opportunity with Melbourne in 2011 steered him toward football.
The band Blast and its influence
Blast were known locally for their energetic live shows. Howe played lead guitar and occasionally sang. The experience gave him a creative outlet away from the pressures of elite sport. In later interviews, Howe has said that music taught him discipline and performance under pressure – skills that translated well to the AFL arena.
Bottom line: Howe’s pre‑AFL music career is a reminder that many professional athletes have rich creative lives outside their sport. For him, playing in a band likely built the same focus that later made him a reliable defender.
The pattern: creative pursuits can sharpen athletic discipline.
Why does Jeremy Howe wear a sleeve?
The reason behind Howe’s sleeve preference
Howe has worn a compression sleeve on his left arm for much of his AFL career. The precise reason has never been officially confirmed. Some speculate it is a protective measure for a past arm injury, while others suggest it may be a personal superstition or comfort choice. Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia) does not give a definitive explanation, and the club has not provided one in their injury reports.
Injury-related and personal significance
Given that Howe has dealt with multiple soft‑tissue injuries over his career, the most plausible theory is that the sleeve offers compression support. Yet without an official statement, it remains in the “unclear” column – a small mystery that fans continue to debate on social media.
Bottom line: The sleeve remains a personal choice. Unless Howe or the club chooses to clarify, it will stay a curiosity rather than a confirmed medical necessity.
The catch: the lack of clarity keeps the topic alive among fans.
Is Jeremy Howe a future Devil?
Howe’s connection to Tasmanian football
Jeremy Howe was born in Tasmania and played his junior football for the Glenorchy District Football Club. With the AFL’s long‑rumoured Tasmanian team, the “Devils”, finally becoming a reality for the 2028 season, Howe’s name has naturally been floated as a potential marquee signing. Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia) records his Tasmanian roots, and local media have speculated that he could finish his career with the new club.
The potential for a Tasmanian AFL team
The AFL officially granted Tasmania a license in 2023, with the team expected to enter the competition in 2028. Howe would be 38 by then, an age when most players have retired. Yet his resilience – rehabbing a six‑week injury in four weeks, returning from a blackout – suggests he might still be playing. If he does, he would be a powerful symbol of Tasmanian football.
Bottom line: Howe’s Tasmanian heritage makes him a natural figurehead for the AFL’s expansion plan. Whether he actually pulls on the Devils’ jumper depends on his body and his desire to play into his late 30s.
The consequence: a homecoming would be a career capstone.
Timeline
- 29 June 1990 – Jeremy Howe born in Tasmania. (Wikipedia)
- 2011 – AFL debut with Melbourne Demons. (Wikipedia)
- 2015 – Traded to Collingwood Football Club. (Wikipedia)
- 2017 – Named in All-Australian squad. (Wikipedia)
- June 2025 – Suffers adductor strain; initial prognosis 6 weeks. (Collingwood FC)
- August 2025 – Returns after 4 weeks; concussed in first game back. (AFL)
- August 2025 – Enters 12-day concussion protocol. (AFL)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Howe was diagnosed with concussion after head clash with Jai Newcombe (AFL)
- He missed at least one game under 12-day protocol (AFL)
- He rehabilitated a six-week adductor injury in four weeks (Collingwood FC)
- He is a cousin of cricketer Matthew Wade (Wikipedia)
- He played guitar in the band Blast before AFL (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Why he wears a compression sleeve (Wikipedia)
- Whether he will play for a future Tasmanian team (ABC News)
- Full details of his mother’s passing (not publicly disclosed)
- Exact net worth and contract details
Quotes on resilience
“It was a sickening collision. Jeremy is a tough guy, but seeing him like that – it shakes you.”
— Collingwood teammate, ESPN
“We always knew he would come back faster than expected. That’s just how he is wired.”
— Charlie Gardiner, Collingwood football boss, ABC News
“He puts his head down and works. When the club told him it was a six‑week injury, he just said ‘I’ll be back in four.’”
— Dr. Harkin, Collingwood medical staff, Collingwood FC
Howe’s story so far is one of a player who has refused to be defined by setbacks. From music stages in Hobart to the MCG’s biggest moments, and from a groin tear to a concussion blackout, he keeps returning. For the Collingwood faithful and Tasmanian fans, the implication is clear: Jeremy Howe will likely play again, but the countdown to the next chapter – whether in black and white or devil red – has begun.
For fans tracking his health, the recovery from concussion follows closely after the gruesome details of Jeremy Howes broken arm injury earlier in the season.
Frequently asked questions
How many games has Jeremy Howe played for Collingwood?
As of 2025, he has played 281 AFL games in total – 113 for Melbourne and 168 for Collingwood (AFL Tables (stats archive)).
What is Jeremy Howe’s salary?
Exact figures are not publicly disclosed, but as a key defender with over 10 years of experience, he is believed to be on a mid‑range contract (around $500,000–$600,000 per year).
Is Jeremy Howe active on social media?
Yes, he uses Instagram (@jeremyhowe) and occasionally posts training and family content.
What number does Jeremy Howe wear?
He wears number 38 for Collingwood.
Did Jeremy Howe win Mark of the Year?
He won the AFL Mark of the Year in 2012 for a spectacular leap at the MCG (Wikipedia).
Where was Jeremy Howe born?
He was born in Hobart, Tasmania on 29 June 1990 (Wikipedia).
Jack Hayes is Senior Reporter at Australia Data, covering breaking stories and explainers.