WITH round one fast approaching, our reporters have been doing their homework to find out the health of your club's list.
Who will be right for the season-opener, who is touch and go, who will be watching from the sidelines? We find out when your wounded stars will get back on the park.
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Tom Doedee | Knee | 1-2 weeks |
Riley Knight | Achilles | 3-4 weeks |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
The Crows reported a clean bill of health from last weekend's pre-season loss to Gold Coast. Doedee is close to returning after hyperextending his knee at training last month, while Knight is aiming for a round three return after having minor Achilles surgery. - Lee Gaskin
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Nil | ||
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
Incredibly, every Brisbane player will be available for round one. Whatever its medical and high-performance staff is being paid, it's probably not enough. – Michael Whiting
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Charlie Curnow | Knee | Indefinite |
Brodie Kemp | Knee | Indefinite |
Caleb Marchbank | Knee | Test |
Harry McKay | Groin | 2-3 weeks |
Sam Petrevski-Seton | Quad | Test |
Lachie Plowman | Ankle | Test |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
The Blues will wait for bruising on Marchbank's knee to subside before making an assessment on his availability for round one, but Plowman is good to go despite rolling his ankle on Sunday. McKay has officially been scratched from the season-opener by coach David Teague, but Petrevski-Seton should get up after playing a half in a VFL practice match over the weekend. Curnow and Kemp are long-term prospects. - Riley Beveridge
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Taylor Adams | Hip | TBC |
Dayne Beams | Mental health | Indefinite |
Tim Broomhead | Leg | 2-4 weeks |
Lynden Dunn | Knee | 6-8 weeks |
Levi Greenwood | Knee | 16-24 weeks |
Tom Langdon | Knee | Indefinite |
Ben Reid | Ankle | Test |
Adam Treloar | Hamstring | 2-3 weeks |
Travis Varcoe | Shoulder | 4-6 weeks |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
Adams pulled up sore after overstretching in the final hitout in the Marsh Community Series against St Kilda on Sunday but the club believes he will be ready for the round one clash with the Western Bulldogs. Treloar will miss at least the season-opener and Reid could also be in doubt. Varcoe is tracking well after a shoulder reconstruction and Langdon is back running as he deals with a potentially career-threatening knee issue, while Greenwood seems determined to smash the traditional 12-month recovery timeframe for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. The Woods will also be conservative with Lynden Dunn, recently signed in the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period, on his way back from a second knee reconstruction. Broomhead remains in the rehab group after having a pin removed from the left leg he broke early in 2018. Meanwhile, Beams is reportedly set to retire. - Ben Collins
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Patrick Ambrose | Knee | 6-7 weeks |
Tom Bellchambers | Knee | Test |
Joe Daniher | Groin | Indefinite |
Sam Draper | Knee | 6-8 weeks |
Noah Gown | Foot | Indefinite |
Dyson Heppell | Foot | TBC |
Mitch Hibberd | Knee | Test |
Cale Hooker | Hip | TBC |
Lachie Johnson | Knee | Season |
James Stewart | Groin | Test |
David Zaharakis | Thigh | Test |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
Zaharakis was the only casualty out of Essendon's win over Geelong on Monday, suffering a corked thigh. The Bombers will be without captain Heppell for at least the opening round and probably longer, while Hooker is also set to miss the start of the season. Jake Stringer (personal reasons) and Conor McKenna (VFL) both didn't feature in the Dons' clash with the Cats, but are expected to face Fremantle in round one. - Callum Twomey
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Blake Acres | Hamstring | 6-8 weeks |
Joel Hamling | Ankle | 9-11 weeks |
Stephen Hill | Quad | TBC |
Jesse Hogan | Mental health | Indefinite |
David Mundy | Leg | TBC |
Alex Pearce | Ankle | 3-4 weeks |
Nathan Wilson | Toe | 3-4 weeks |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
Andrew Brayshaw had his foot stomped on during the win against West Coast and he underwent scans that cleared him of any break. The Dockers have not put a timeframe on Stephen Hill's return after he sustained another quad injury. Blake Acres' hamstring tendon injury is serious and he could miss up to eight weeks. Joel Hamling's ankle injury remains the long-term concern for the club, while David Mundy, Alex Pearce and Nathan Wilson lifted the intensity of their running and are pushing for early-season returns, potentially in the first month. Hayden Young is having his training loads managed and was left out of the team that played West Coast. - Nathan Schmook
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Nakia Cockatoo | Hamstring | 3-4 weeks |
Mitch Duncan | Hip | Test |
Jake Kolodjashnij | Hip | 3-4 weeks |
Nathan Kreuger | Knee | 1-2 weeks |
Stefan Okunbor | Achilles | Indefinite |
Joel Selwood | Hamstring | Test |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
Selwood will need to pass match simulation on Saturday if he's a chance to face Greater Western Sydney seven days later in round one. Duncan is pushing to play some minutes in Friday night's VFL scratch match against Werribee in the hope of an unlikely return against the Giants. Kreuger is returning to the main group, while Kolodjashnij is eyeing a return inside the month. - Mitch Cleary
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Charlie Ballard | Shoulder | 6-8 weeks |
Jack Hombsch | Rib | 1-2 weeks |
Anthony Miles | Chest | TBC |
Wil Powell | Knee | 6-8 weeks |
Izak Rankine | Shoulder | Test |
Mitch Riordan | ACL | Season |
Alex Sexton | Hamstring | 2-3 weeks |
Rory Thompson | Knee | Test |
Jarrod Witts | Foot | Test |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
Sexton's minor hamstring tear from last Friday's victory over Adelaide is the major concern. The club has not ruled him out for round one, but an explosive player coming back two weeks after a tear would be risky. Witts is expected to be fine, while Thompson will be available after 12 months out with an ACL injury, but is expected to make his way back through the NEAFL. – Michael Whiting
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Matt Flynn | Knee | TBC |
Tommy Sheridan | Calf | 3-4 weeks |
Tim Taranto | Shoulder | 4-5 months |
Callan Ward | Knee | 4-6 weeks |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
Taranto had his right shoulder reconstructed last week and won't be back to play until at least July. Ward is on track to play at NEAFL level in the first month of the season, with Flynn due back mid-year. - Adam Curley
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Will Golds | Knee | TBC |
Jack Gunston | Ankle | 1-2 weeks |
Blake Hardwick | Chest | 11 weeks |
Dan Howe | Foot | Indefinite |
Jarman Impey | Knee | Indefinite |
Jacob Koschitzke | AC joint | 3 weeks |
Mitch Lewis | Ankle | 1-2 weeks |
Josh Morris | Knee | 4-5 weeks |
Tim O'Brien | Eye | Test |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
The Hawks will closely monitor in the next fortnight the progress of Lewis, who left the field in the last quarter on Friday night after badly spraining his left ankle. Second-year midfielder Golds faces a lost season after suffering a serious knee injury in a VFL practice match at Casey Fields. Ben McEvoy (corked thigh) returned in Hawthorn's Marsh Community Series finale, while Dylan Moore (hip/groin) played a half in the VFL game. Gunston could appear in internal match simulation this week as he aims to play in round one. - Marc McGowan
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Harley Bennell | Calf | TBC |
Kade Chandler | Wrist | 1-2 weeks |
Kyle Dunkley | Foot | Test |
Mitch Hannan | Groin | TBC |
Kade Kolodjashnij | Concussion | TBC |
Harry Petty | Groin | TBC |
Christian Salem | Glandular fever | 1-2 weeks |
Braydon Preuss | Knee | 4-6 weeks |
Aaron vandenBerg | Foot | TBC |
Sam Weideman | Ankle | Test |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
Weideman rolled his ankle against Hawthorn on Friday night but should be available for the season opener against West Coast. But, the news isn't as good for vandenBerg, with suggestion the luckless 28-year-old's fresh foot concern will cost him 6-8 weeks. Max Gawn played half a game against the Hawks and has declared himself a starter for round one, while Steven May also got through on comeback from his own knee issue. Mystery continues to surround Joel Smith's fitness, given his absence from pre-season hitouts. The long game continues with Bennell after another minor calf strain at training but Salem could be available for round one despite a recent bout of glandular fever. - Jennifer Phelan
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Ben Brown | Calf | 1-2 weeks |
Luke Davies-Uniacke | Groin | TBC |
Kyron Hayden | Achilles | 9-11 weeks |
Ben Jacobs | Concussion | TBC |
Flynn Perez | Knee | 9-11 weeks |
Kayne Turner | Sesamoid/foot | 9-11 weeks |
Ed Vickers-Willis | Knee | TBC |
Marley Williams | Suspension | Round 3 |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
Brown received an encouraging result from the MRI scan on his injured calf on Tuesday, and trained afterwards. He said on Sunday he was still aiming for round one but could be as far away as round three, although this development suggests he's on track for the season-opener. Jack Ziebell (calf), Jared Polec (foot), Ben Cunnington (hip) and Aiden Bonar (hamstring) all played limited minutes in their returns in the Roos' Marsh Community Series finale. They all came through unscathed and there were no fresh injuries from the weekend. – Marc McGowan
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Miles Bergman | Ankle | Test |
Charlie Dixon | Groin | 1-2 weeks |
Riley Grundy | Knee | TBC |
Scott Lycett | Ankle | 1-2 weeks |
Jack Watts | Calf | Test |
Ollie Wines | Shoulder | 5-7 weeks |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
The Power believe Dixon and Lycett should be right to play in their season-opener against Gold Coast next weekend. Both players failed to finish last weekend's pre-season win over the Western Bulldogs, but they were removed more as a precaution. Wines is still a number of weeks away from returning from shoulder surgery he had at the start of February. - Lee Gaskin
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Kane Lambert | Concussion | Test |
Jack Graham | Shoulder | Test |
Kamdyn McIntosh | Ankle | Test |
Toby Nankervis | Adductor | Test |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
Graham, McIntosh and Nankervis were expected to play in the second Marsh Community Series game but will instead now press for round one after playing in a VFL practice match instead. Lambert was concussed in the Tigers' loss to the Giants thanks to an ugly run-in with Jeremy Cameron, but with 11 days in between the game and round one, he's got time on his side. – Jennifer Phelan
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Jarryn Geary | Facial fracture | Test |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
Geary needed surgery to repair what the club called a "minor" facial injury, sustained against Collingwood on Saturday. He's expected to be back running later this week and will press for selection for the season-opener against North Melbourne. Dylan Roberton played again on the weekend and looks to have ticked all the boxes to put his hand up for round one but Jimmy Webster missed again, casting doubt on his availability. - Jennifer Phelan
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Robbie Fox | Ankle | Test |
Lance Franklin | Knee | 3-5 weeks |
Lewis Melican | Hamstring | 2-3 weeks |
Sam Reid | Calf | Test |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
Reid is back in full training and on track to play round one in a big boost for Sydney, who will be missing Franklin for at least the first couple of games of the season at the very least. - Adam Curley
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Oscar Allen | Ankle | Test |
Jarrod Cameron | Pubic bone | 6-8 weeks |
Tom Cole | Thumb | 6-8 weeks |
Jack Darling | Cheekbone | Test |
Luke Foley | Pubic bone | TBC |
Daniel Venables | Concussion | Season |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
Oscar Allen took part in competitive training and moved well on Tuesday, looking likely to push for selection in round one. Jack Darling is in a similar position and could have played in the final pre-season game, according to Adam Simpson. Jarrod Cameron is expected to miss up to eight weeks with the pubic bone stress injury that has hampered him previously. Jeremy McGovern has come off the injury list and looks ready for round one after his minutes were managed against Fremantle. Tom Cole's fractured thumb is medium-term concern, but the defender will be able to maintain fitness during his rehab. - Nathan Schmook
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
---|---|---|
Tory Dickson | Adductor | Test |
Taylor Duryea | Groin | 5 weeks |
Riley Garcia | Knee | Indefinite |
Will Hayes | Suspended | Round 2 |
Lin Jong | Hamstring | 5 weeks |
Tom Liberatore | Knee | 4 weeks |
Aaron Naughton | Knee | 2 weeks |
Laitham Vandermeer | Hamstring | Test |
Updated: Tuesday, March 10 |
Early prognosis
The Bulldogs escaped with no injuries from the Marsh Community Series game against Port Adelaide. Tory Dickson was held out of the game with a minor adductor injury, but the club expects him to be clear for round one. Ed Richards managed to get through the VFL practice match against Williamstown after battling concussion symptoms a couple of weeks ago. - Jourdan Canil
*Placed on the club's long-term injury list