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Changkuoth Jiath is heading overseas for treatment in January. Picture: Michael Klein
HAWTHORN
PRE-SEASON LATEST
- The Hawks have been weighing up moving defender Changkuoth Jiath to a wing in 2024, if he can get over niggling calf and Achilles issues and get enough miles in his legs. Jiath will head to Doha for five days in early January to work with specialists.
- Josh Weddle has caught the eye on the track, winning the yo-yo test and time trial. He has also impressed during some match simulation, after playing the final 17 games of his debut season.
- New recruit Jack Ginnivan has hit the ground running over pre-season, since being granted an extra week of leave by coach Sam Mitchell. He will form part of a new-look forward line next year.
- Key forward Mitch Lewis has been eased into pre-season after dealing with some knee issues last season but resumed main training before the club’s Christmas break.
- Mabior Chol is poised to reintegrate with the main group early in the new year, after recovering from a PCL injury he suffered in September.
MELBOURNE
PRE-SEASON LATEST
- Clayton Oliver’s off-season woes continued after he was caught driving without a licence. He also left a Lorne training camp early this week due to personal issues.
- Midfielder Angus Brayshaw has joined in skills sessions as part of a modified training program as he recovers from a serious concussion in September. Brayshaw will gradually work his way back into contact training to be ready for next season.
- Defender Harrison Petty is still recovering from a foot injury which ended his season early. He has been on a modified program but will join the main group post-Christmas.
- Recruits Shane McAdam, Jack Billings and Tom Fullarton all began training earlier than required with their new club and are tracking well.
- Forward Bayley Fritsch is still being managed after twice hurting his left foot in the second half of the season. He had surgery to repair a fracture in the foot after the first incident in round 16. Fritsch is expected to join main training in January.
NORTH MELBOURNE
PRE-SEASON LATEST
- Defender Aiden Corr has suffered another injury setback, sustaining a bad ankle sprain after landing awkwardly in a marking contest at training last week. He is expected to slowly integrate back into training in January.
- Midfielder Tarryn Thomas has had a minor groin operation, but the issue is not expected to hold him back much post-Christmas as he builds his training loads back up.
- Charlie Comben is making a switch from the forward line to halfback as the Roos look to shore up their defence. The big man has been back in full training in recent weeks and is in strong physical condition after recovering from a broken leg he suffered in April.
- The Kangaroos have added some elements to their training this off-season, aimed at building resilience and “trying to push our players through that limit and beyond”. The club lost 10 games by 30 points or more this year.
- Exciting youngster Brayden George is still a little while away from getting back into the swing of things, following a freak gym accident which saw him dislocate his elbow in October.
Jase Burgoyne (left, with father Peter) is eyeing a wing role for Port Adelaide in 2024. Picture: Kelly Barnes
PORT ADELAIDE
PRE-SEASON LATEST
- Young gun Connor Rozee was unveiled as the Power’s new captain earlier this month at the same time he signed a mammoth eight-year contract extension. Rozee is just 23, making him one of the youngest skippers in the club’s history.
- Jase Burgoyne has taken over the No.7 jumper, which was left vacant after Xavier Duursma’s trade to Essendon. Burgoyne added 5kg during his post-season break and is hoping to make Duursma’s old role on a wing his own next year.
- Recruit Ivan Soldo had surgery on a finger last week after a training incident, but is expected to return to full training with the main group in January.
- Zak Butters believes there is still significant improvement left in his game, after winning the AFL Coaches’ Association Champion Player award and Port Adelaide’s best-and-fairest last season. The newly-appointed vice-captain will look to add a greater defensive mindset in 2024 and lay more tackles.
RICHMOND
PRE-SEASON LATEST
- Defender Josh Gibcus has got back into some drills after heading to Qatar for specialist treatment on his hamstring in October. He is expected to resume main training in January.
- Toby Nankervis has taken the reigns as sole captain, with his former co-captain Dylan Grimes stepping down from the role. Nankervis has vowed to continue to lead from the front on-field with his fierce attack on the footy.
- Key forward Tom Lynch is “ticking all the boxes” as he slowly builds into pre-season following a year ruined by a foot injury. He will step up his training in the new year.
- Recruit Jacob Koschitzke has made a “seamless transition” since being traded from Hawthorn and has been seeking advice from Lynch.
- The Tigers believe there is a “lot of footy left” in superstar Dustin Martin, with talks having begun about extending the 32-year-old’s contract beyond 2024. Martin has 11 games remaining to reach his milestone 300th game for the club.
ST KILDA
PRE-SEASON LATEST
- Forward Tim Membrey is said to be “blossoming” once again and has dropped 4kg since pulling out of the Saints’ elimination final in September due to a personal health issue.
- The Saints have taken a conservative approach with key forward Max King but he has been stepping up his work on the track and will be back in full training in January.
- Top draft pick Darcy Wilson has made an early impression, winning the club’s time trial. Along with fellow draftee Lance Collard, he looks set to play a fair bit of footy next year.
- Usually durable captain Jack Steele has been on light duties since undergoing a post-season ankle clean out. However, he will re-join main training after Christmas.
- Coach Ross Lyon has urged his group to “do the work, focus on action and write your own story” as he builds a list he believes is well and truly capable of playing finals in 2024.
Brodie Grundy has settled in well to life in Sydney. Picture: Phil Hillyard
SYDNEY
PRE-SEASON LATEST
- Captain Callum Mills remains “very eligible” to be re-elected as skipper next year, despite his off-season antics. Mills had shoulder surgery in late September after wrestling with a teammate on Mad Monday, which will see him miss the start of the 2024 season.
- Defender Robbie Fox lit up the track at the Swans’ 2km time trial earlier this month, beating home draftee Caiden Cleary and wingman Justin McInerney.
- Recruit Brodie Grundy has settled in nicely to life in Sydney and is feeling a strong “alignment to the football program and the club and the people”.
- Ruckman-forward Hayden McLean has been training strongly as he looks to build on a breakout 2023 season which saw him play 22 games.
WEST COAST
PRE-SEASON LATEST
- Reuben Ginbey believes he is in the best shape of his life and has been flying through pre-season so far after a hamstring injury ended the midfielder’s year early.
- Onballer Dom Sheed has spent time in a moon boot after a hot spot was discovered in his foot, putting him out of main training for an extended period of time.
- Ryan Maric has been working on his running in his first AFL pre-season since being picked at No.1 in the mid-season draft. He is also aiming to put on some size.
- Oscar Allen and Liam Duggan have been appointed as Eagles’ co-captains for 2024, replacing the retired Luke Shuey. Both like to lead by their actions.
- No.1 draft pick Harley Reid has spent time training with the forwards, including working closely with new housemate Allen. He has already provided some ‘wow’ moments during match simulation.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
PRE-SEASON LATEST
- Bailey Smith says he is “really motivated to come back bigger and better” after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament on his right knee in a training mishap last week. He had surgery on Tuesday.
- Top draft pick Ryley Sanders has wasted no time impressing his new teammates and coaches. He has been given the No.9 jumper and is making an early push for a Round 1 debut.
- Recruit Nick Coffield is relishing a “fresh start” and is enjoying being out on the track over the early part of pre-season, something he hasn’t been able to do due to injuries over the past two years.
Originally published as AFL 2024: News, injury updates from every club’s pre-season as teams break for Christmas
