The 16-year-old, who captained Brauer College’s boy’s team to a gold medal at the Australian Schools’ Championships in December, will miss Warrnambool’s assault on the under 18 state championships in two weeks.

The forward, who had been earmarked to join the Warrnambool Seahawks’ senior development team, has taken significant steps in his recovery after suffering a fractured skull in an accident at Minjah 11 days ago.

His father Barry yesterday said Sam’s progress was well ahead of schedule but his son faced months of rehabilitation.

Sam was flown to The Alfred Hospital with a fractured skull, bruising and bleeding on the brain, a broken nose, a broken bone in his back and bruised lungs after the quad bike accident on January 31.

He spent three days in an induced coma but has surprised specialists with the speed of his recovery.

After spending a few days in the trauma ward, he was transferred to the Epworth hospital, where he started his rehabilitation.

Barry said his son was talking and, despite suffering post traumatic amnesia, was progressing well.

“It does look quite positive,” he said. “He’s a long way ahead of where the neurosurgeon said he was going to be. They had him pegged for still being in a coma.

“If he can get over the post traumatic amnesia side of things, he is a good chance to come back to Warrnambool soon to continue his rehabilitation at St John’s.”

Barry said Sam would not be allowed to play sport for 12 months, as was standard with any brain injury.

Seahawks coach Tim Gainey said Sam would be part of a development squad for the senior team.

“Sam is definitely one of the young guys I could see playing for us this year, if not this year then next year,” Gainey said.

“He’s a real handy player. He plays a huge role in the under 18 squad and they have won a few tournaments.

“He’s had a freak accident, that could happen to anyone. Right now he’s way ahead of schedule and the doctors are really happy with the way he is going.”

grbest@standard.fairfax .com.au