All-Australian AFL defender Matthew Egan will have more surgery in the next week as he tries to overcome stress fractures in his right foot.

Egan has travelled to Sydney for the operation.

Earlier this month, the Geelong backman was ruled out for the rest of the season after stress fractures flared in the navicular bone.

Egan has not played since the final game of the regular season last year, when the injury originally flared.

His much-improved form earnt him All-Australian selection, but he missed the finals series and Geelong's historic premiership.

He worked hard to return in time for the grand final and has no regrets.

"I look back on it and think I made the right decision at the time, it's probably disappointing now to think it put me back this far," he told Channel Nine's The Footy Show.

"But so be it."

Egan admits he has occasionally feared that the injury might end his career.

"You think about it at times, but a lot worse things could have happened," he said.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP