AFL: Pre-season injury watch for all 18 clubs ahead of February’s trial games
Who is on the comeback trail? Who is in doubt for the pre-season games? And which stars are sidelined? Here is a stocktake of where things stand at all 18 clubs.
With practice matches just around the corner, our team have compiled a stocktake of where every club’s injury list is at.
There’s some big names racing the clock to be fit in time to get some valuable minutes in before the season proper.
See the full list below.
Adelaide
Match simulation: Port Adelaide, February 23, Alberton Oval
Community series: West Coast, March 2, Hisense Stadium (Richmond)
Nick Murray (knee): The key defender is tracking well in his rehabilitation from ACL surgery, starting change of direction running and joining in some drills with the main group as he eyes a return at the 11-12 month mark.
Harry Schoenberg (achilles): The midfielder is also running, initially on a weight-bearing treadmill before moving to grass last week. He is expected to return in the second half of the season.
Wayne Milera (hamstring): The half-back has overcome a minor, pre-Christmas issue to be back in full training.
Rory Sloane (hamstring): Like Milera, the ex-captain sustained an injury before the new year break but was now training unrestricted again.
Elliott Himmelberg (hamstring): The swingman is progressing in his return from surgery.
Dan Curtin (knee soreness): The Crows’ top draft pick was in the rehab group before the four-day break and was expected to rejoin the main group in coming weeks.
Brisbane Lions
Match simulation: v Gold Coast, February 22, Springfield
Community Series: v Sydney, February 29, Blacktown
Lachie Neale (groin): Has recovered from post-season groin surgery and is expected to feature in the match simulation work in February.
Deven Robertson (wrist): Had surgery in the off-season, but a minor complication has meant he required a second operation to ensure correct healing procedure. He is not locked into the pre-season games, with the club cautious as he continues to wear a guard to protect the wrist.
Will Ashcroft (knee): Progressing well from a ruptured ACL that he sustained against Geelong last season, but he is not expected to return to any level of football until mid-season.
Tom Doedee (knee): Arriving over summer, the former Crow will miss the opening rounds as he recovers from an ACL injury, but the Lions hope he is in the mix early in the year.
Carlton
Match simulation: v Geelong, February 22, Ikon Park
Community series: Melbourne, February 28, Ikon Park
Jacob Weitering (calf): The star defender suffered a high-grade calf strain during a training session earlier this month and will be racing the clock to be ready for opening round.
Jack Silvagni (knee): The forward will miss the entire 2024 season in a big blow for the Blues, after rupturing his ACL at training this week.
Zac Williams (knee): The rebounding defender is nearing a return to full fitness, having finally rejoined the main training group after tearing his ACL last February.
Matt Duffy (knee): The Irish recruit won’t play this year, after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament while playing a Gaelic football match in November ahead of his arrival in Australia.
Collingwood
Match simulation: v North Melbourne, February 21, Arden St
Community series: v Richmond, February 27, Ikon Park
Josh Daicos (foot): Daicos labelled his injury as a foot problem but the club this week named it as “lower leg/nerve muscle pain”. Either way, Daicos has been running through the issue and will be eased into drills in the next few weeks and should play in pre-season fixtures.
Brody Mihocek (calf): Had to deal with a calf niggle but is almost back into full training. Should be ready for match simulation next week.
Brayden Maynard (shoulder): The defender has been desperate to get into contact training and will be eased into match sim in the next couple of weeks, leaving him as a likely starter for the pre-season games.
Jakob Ryan (leg): The youngster had some soreness in his leg that was revealed to be bone bruising. He was due to start running again this week and will be assessed from there.
Dan McStay (knee): Out for the season with an ACL injury, the Magpies are yet to put him on the inactive list.
Essendon
Match simulation: v St Kilda, February 23, RSEA Park
Community series: v Geelong, March 1, GMHBA Stadium
Sam Draper (groin): The ruck will begin training next week after a long build up of running and will be hopeful of facing Geelong in the official practice match. Signs are positive for the fan favourite.
Dylan Shiel (foot): Looks like the midfielder will miss the practice matches, as he is still away from the main group at training. Shiel is expected to begin entering training next month.
Jaiden Hunter (knee): Season over unfortunately for the rookie, who ruptured his ACL earlier this month.
Tex Wanganeen (foot): The young forward is still not running on grass and is a long way off proper training.
Sam Weideman (Achilles): A slow start to pre-season for the ex-Bomber, who was stuck on running duties but he has returned to full training now.
Xavier Duursma (hip): The recruit was in and out of drills before Christmas due to a hip injury but is in full swing now.
Fremantle
Match simulation: v West Coast, February 24, Mineral Resources Park
Community Series: v Port Adelaide, March 1, Alberton Oval
Brennan Cox (leg): Cox experienced lower leg soreness after match simulation late last week, and was held out of training on Monday as the club sought to confirm the issue. The 25 year old was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his fibula and is unlikely to play in the practice matches, however the club expects him to be available for round 1.
Sean Darcy (knee): Darcy suffered a serious knee injury late in the 2023 season and has been limited during the pre-season, however the ruck is expected to be pushing to be fit for round 1. He is unlikely to be available for the match simulation or community series matches.
Sam Switkowski (hamstring): Still confined to the rehab group, the small forward will be unlikely to feature in the pre-season however remains a chance for round 1.
Brandon Walker (leg): Unlikely to feature in the match simulations, with the small defender still with the rehab group this week after his 2023 campaign came to an end early because of a dislocated knee against Collingwood.
Luke Ryan (ankle): Spent time in the rehab group however has rejoined training, albeit light duties, and should be available for match simulation work from next week.
Geelong
Match simulation: v Carlton, February 22, Ikon Park
Community series: v Essendon, March 1, GMHBA Stadium
Geelong has a full complement on the track which pales in comparison to the club’s injury-riddled season last year. Jack Henry (lisfranc) and Phoenix Foster (foot fracture) were on modified programs leading up to the Christmas break but both are back in full training since returning.
Gold Coast
Match simulation: v Brisbane, February 22, Carrara
Community series: v Greater Western Sydney, February 29, Manuka Oval
Lachie Weller (knee): Weller will not play for the Suns until at least mid-season after tearing his ACL in 2023.
Greater Western Sydney
Match simulation: v Sydney, February 22, Tramway Oval
Community series: v Gold Coast, February 29, Manuka Oval
Adam Kennedy (knee): Kennedy is eight months post ACL surgery and progressing with running conditioning, agility work and currently joining in the team warm-up. Will progress to team skills in February and at this stage is the only player confirmed to be unavailable for the Giants’ pre-season games.