AFL pre-season 2023: Lewis Young to make quick recovery from injury, Jacob van Rooyen pushing for Demons debut
The Blues were decimated by setbacks last year, but there is some positive news on the injury front for a defender. Plus, a Demons youngster is in the box seat for a debut.
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Carlton defender Lewis Young is expected to make a quick recovery from a minor ankle injury in a boost to the Blues’ plans to unleash a full-strength back line early this season.
Young, 24, rolled his ankle at training last week and was absent from the club’s open training session Wednesday along with star centre half back Jacob Weitering.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE INJURY REPORT FOR EVERY CLUB
And while Zac Williams (calf) and Mitch McGovern (hamstring) also ran laps in the second half of the session, all four backmen are expected to rejoin main training and match practice this week.
Young sent a major scare through Carlton when he went down on Monday with the ankle concern but medicos have cleared him of serious injury as he prepares to hold down full back in 2023.
McGovern, 28, is also slated to play a crucial intercepting half back role in the final year of his bumper contract after a hamstring injury last season sat him out for four months.
The Blues are desperate to avoid a recurrence of last year’s devastating run of injuries which, in part, cost it a finals berth after coughing up an impressive 8-2 start to the 2022 season.
Durability is a huge priority for the club with Michael Voss admitting after the devastating Round 23 loss to Collingwood last year that injuries hurt the team badly last season.
“The continuity of the group (is a focus), and establishing a group that is out there week after week. We nearly got there (finals) but we fell just short,” Voss said.
“The second half of the season got a hold of us. There was huge demand on them this year but we are not going into another pre-season doing exactly (the same thing). We need to step it up again.”
But there have again been a few setbacks over summer with superstar midfielder Sam Walsh on his way back from back surgery which threatens to keep him sidelined for the early part of the season.
Walsh ran laps at half pace on Wednesday but appeared ahead of schedule amid fears he would not be able to run for several more weeks after going under the knife last year.
Hard nut Matthew Kennedy also failed to finish the session on Wednesday but News Corp understands the move indoors was part of his normal program after battling a foot injury last year.
Weitering, who missed five games midseason with a serious shoulder injury, also trained indoors on Wednesday along with forward Jack Martin, who recently became a father to daughter Rosie.
Former Swan George Hewett is also on track to play Round 1 in his recovery from a back problem, while Blake Acres will bolster the midfield group from a wing after crossing from Fremantle.
Hewett was outstanding in the centre square before he succumbed to the back injury, ending his season at Round 18.
The Blues won only one of their last five games of the year, costing them their first finals berth in nine years.
Dees young gun eyeing round 1 debut
Melbourne second-year forward Jacob Van Rooyen is on track for an early-season debut after a standout summer.
The mobile marking target has turned heads in recent months and is firming as a likely Ben Brown replacement as the veteran works back from another knee injury.
Van Rooyen was taken with pick No. 19 in 2021 and was breathing down Brown’s neck last season after an impressive back half of the VFL campaign.
That excellent form has continued on the track over pre-season with Van Rooyen highly rated for his mobility, versatility, physicality and aerial skills.
And the club has already ward off any threat of a Luke Jackson-style return home to Western Australia after locking him away to a contract extension late last year until the end of 2025.
The 194cm Van Rooyen will be given significant opportunity in the scratch match phase in the lead-up to the season-opener as the club waits on scans for superstar ruckman Max Gawn.
Gawn hurt his hamstring on Friday and would be sidelined for three to four weeks in the event he has strained or suffered a minor tear in the muscle.
The Demons’ forward line is set to undergo a facelift this season with Tom McDonald likely to join forces with Van Rooyen, Bayley Fritsch, Kysaiah Pickett and a resting ruckman in attack this season.
McDonald has recovered from a foot injury and will make a welcome return to the forward line to help fix the Demons’ connection issues in the front half of the ground.
Melbourne secured Collingwood superstar Brodie Grundy to replace Jackson in the ruck and swap with Gawn in a key forward role in 2023.
Melbourne landed Grundy at a significantly discounted rate after the Magpies agreed to pay some of his salary in order to get Grundy’s $950,000 wage off their books.
But the move already looks like a winner for Melbourne as Grundy will significantly lighten the physical load on Gawn who battled on with a groin injury late last season.
Along with Van Rooyen, Grundy has also been one of the Demons’ most impressive trainers over summer.
News Corp revealed Brown, 30, underwent another round of knee surgery late last year which significantly interrupted his pre-season before Christmas.
Brown will attempt to ramp up his training in coming weeks but has a fight on his hands to beat Van Rooyen, 19, for a regular spot in the senior side.
The Demons bowed out of last year’s final series in straight sets and have set their sights on a return to the top-four after landing Grundy and playmaker Lachie Hunter and key forward Josh Schache, from the Western Bulldogs, in the trade period.
Schache will provide key forward coverage following the departure of Sam Weideman to Essendon late in the trade period.
Tsatas not the only young gun set to miss
Essendon first-round draft pick Elijah Tsatas faces a delayed start to the season after suffering a knee injury.
The man taken with pick five by the Bombers in November’s national draft faces at least two months on the sidelines to recover from a torn meniscus.
The Herald Sun on Friday revealed Tsatas will have surgery to repair his knee after hurting it in a collision at training on Monday.
It is an unfortunate blow for the Bombers who are excited about the jet midfielder’s speed and dynamic run through the midfield.
But the gun ballwinner, who sat out the bulk of last season because of a foot injury, won’t be considered for the early rounds this year.
Tsatas will likely need time to build up his fitness once his knee recovers in a bid to press for selection in the senior side.
Essendon took the Oakleigh product ahead of new Saint Mattaes Phillipou, who is on track for an early debut at St Kilda this season.
High performance boss Dan McPherson said the club will be cautious with his recovery.
“Elijah suffered a knock to the knee during a contest drill earlier in the week, and the initial scan showed a minor tear in his meniscus. He has been assessed by a surgeon today who has recommended it be repaired,” McPherson said.
“The post operation time frames will be determined following the surgery but he is a young player with a bright future ahead of him, so whilst this setback is disappointing, we won’t be rushing his return to play.
“He’s had a great start to his time in the AFL system having produced a very impressive pre-season to this point. We will give him the required time to recover to ensure he is best prepared to re-join the AFL program.”
GAWN DOWN
Melbourne’s superstar captain Max Gawn faces a nervous wait as he waits for the results of scans on his injured hamstring.
The brilliant big man hurt his hamstring at Melbourne training on Friday and left the track early to undergo medical treatment.
It is a blow for the Demons who were excited to unleash Gawn and new recruit Brodie Grundy as part of a new ruck combination in the practice match phase over the next couple of weeks.
But even a minor strain or tear would keep Gawn, 31, off the track for weeks in a bid to help him recover fully in time for the regular season.
Melbourne recruited Grundy from Collingwood in part because the club wanted to help lighten the load on Gawn following the departure of Luke Jackson to Fremantle.
The injury means Grundy will lead the ruck division during Gawn’s absence.
Melbourne football boss Alan Richardson said the club would investigate Gawn’s soft-tissue injury over the weekend.
The club is expected to ramp up its match simulation training next week.
“Max unfortunately had some hamstring awareness towards the end of this morning’s training session,” Richardson said.
“He will be closely monitored and assessed over the weekend. We’re hopeful we will have some further clarity early next week.”
ULTIMATE INJURY WRAP: WHO IS FIT? WHO WON’T PLAY ROUND 1?
The Australian Open tennis might be taking centre stage, but pre-season footy training is back as AFL clubs build up to the start of the premiership season.
So, who’s lighting up the track at your club? Who’s back from injury, who’s still in the rehab group and which players have already been ruled out for the start of the home-and-away season?
Here’s our guide to find out how each club is tracking ahead of their 2023 campaign.
ADELAIDE
Who is fit and firing?
Third-year on-baller Sam Berry appears even stronger, half-back Wayne Milera, who has been building back from missing almost two years of football in 2020-21, seems to be nearing a return to his best after some silky match simulation performances and Luke Pedlar looks to be over groin issues that have plagued the start to his AFL career.
Half-back Chayce Jones won the club’s 4x1km time trial before Christmas ahead of Riley Thilthorpe. Thilthorpe said he had been flying ahead of the break, only to roll his ankle this week, but he was fine to train on Wednesday.
Who is injured or in recovery?
Defender Josh Worrell has reaggravated a hamstring injury and has sat out training this week. Young gun Josh Rachele is on a modified program as he recovers from his own hamstring issue.
Forward Shane McAdam and speedster Tariek Newchurch are sitting out of main drills as they continue to build their fitness.
Backman Andrew McPherson has resumed running indoors after having his 2022 campaign ruined by a posterior cruciate ligament injury in July then undergoing a knee arthroscopy in November.
Who is back from surgery/injury?
Captain Rory Sloane is moving well after missing the bulk of last season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and is on track to play in round 1.
Midfielder Ben Keays and backman Tom Doedee are also back training with the main squad after both having AC joint surgery during the off-season.
Boom recruit Izak Rankine underwent shoulder surgery in August and over the past week was now training without his non-contact hat.
Defender Will Hamill is in full training, wearing a helmet, after missing the end of last season with concussion.
Players who won’t play round 1
McPherson is the only Crow possibly unavailable for the season-opener at this stage.
BRISBANE LIONS
Who is fit and firing?
Former steeplechaser Harry Sharp won both of the Lions’ 3km time trials, closely followed by Hugh McCluggage and Zac Bailey.
Veterans Dayne Zorko and Daniel Rich were in “great shape” after full pre-seasons, while stars Lachie Neale, McCluggage, Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood and Harris Andrews had all been in strong form on the track.
The Lions said Bailey had enjoyed a strong pre-season and looked set to spend more time in the midfield, while younger players Jaxon Prior, James Tunstill, Darcy Wilmot, Henry Smith and Sharp had all bulked up over summer and impressed in training.
New Lions Josh Dunkley, Will Ashcroft, Jack Gunston and Conor McKenna had all integrated well and impressed among their new teammates.
Who is injured?
Darcy Gardiner, Jarrod Berry and Noah Answerth all remain in rehab from shoulder injuries. Gardiner is still two-three weeks away from a return to full training, while Berry and Answerth should be back into full work in one-two weeks.
Kai Lohmann and Jarryd Lyons are both returning from groin issues and remain two-three weeks away from full training. Jaspa Fletcher (back) is expected to be back in full training in three weeks, while Carter Michael (shin) is another five weeks away from a return to full work.
Who is back from surgery?
Key forward Joe Daniher is back in full training after a shoulder clean following the end of last season.
List of players who won’t play round 1
The Lions last week moved Marcus Adams to the club’s inactive list as he continues to battle concussion-related issues. The club said Adams was unlikely to play in 2023. He is the only player who has been ruled out at this stage.
CARLTON
Who is fit and firing?
Small forward Jesse Motlop looking ready for a big year after bumper pre-season while new recruit Blake Acres has been training strongly as he looks to fulfil his role on a wing for the Blues. Skipper Patrick Cripps has barely missed a beat and is looking to build on his Brownlow year.
Who is injured?
Defender Jordan Boyd has had surgery this month after re-injuring an acute fracture in his foot, which is a setback for his pre-season preparations.
Midfielder-forward Matthew Cottrell is recovering from a navicular stress fracture and will not resume running until adequate healing has occurred.
Star midfielder Sam Walsh is being carefully managed after having back surgery days before Christmas which will delay his start to the 2023 season.
Walsh has resumed some light running, but is still some way away from returning to main training.
Defenders Mitch McGovern and Zac Williams are both on modified training programs after injury-interrupted campaigns in 2022.
Defender Lewis Young tweaked his ankle at training earlier in the week and is expected to rejoin the main group in the next week or two.
Who is back from surgery/injury?
Ruckman Marc Pittonet (knee), midfielder Matt Kennedy (foot), forward Corey Durdin (shoulder) are all on the mend after post-season surgeries.
Onballer George Hewett was back in the thick of things at training this week after missing the end of last season with a back injury which required surgery.
Players who won’t play round 1
Sam Walsh, Matthew Cottrell, Jordan Boyd.
COLLINGWOOD
Who is fit and firing?
Midfield leader Taylor Adams showed no signs of the serious groin injury which ended his 2022 finals campaign, looking sharp on the training track this week. Key acquisition Tom Mitchell looks to have slotted in seamlessly into the Magpies’ midfield brigade since making the move from Hawthorn as the Brownlow medallist caught the eye on the track as the pre-season resumed.
Who is injured or in recovery?
Forward Nathan Kreuger suffered a pre-season setback after injuring his right shoulder at training before Christmas and underwent a reconstruction last week. Captaincy candidate and star defender Darcy Moore has resumed running as he continues his recovery from the bone infection which put him in hospital at the start of the pre-season. The club said Moore was “tracking well”. Young midfielder Finlay Macrae’s training load is being managed after he experienced a stress-related back issue in December. The club said the 20-year-old would resume running in the coming weeks.
Who is back from surgery/injury?
Jordan De Goey is back into full training after undergoing an arthroscope on his right shoulder at the start of December. The midfield star had been managing the injury towards the end of last season, but it had failed to settle over the off-season. He looked strong on the track earlier this week. Brayden Maynard is also back into full work after postseason shoulder surgery.
Players who won’t play round 1
Kreuger has been ruled out for the start of the season, but the Magpies said he would be available for selection “within the first six weeks” of the home-and-away season.
ESSENDON
Who is fit and firing?
Utility Nic Martin has worked with a personal trainer to add three kilograms to his frame but has not lost any of his running ability after he took out the club’s 2km time trial on the players’ return from the Christmas break. Defender Mason Redman had won the time trial before Christmas and is still flying, while midfield Dylan Shiel, Zach Merrett and Sam Draper are among others impressing on the track.
Who is injured?
Prized draftee Elijah Tsatas faces a delayed start to the season after a suffering a knee injury at training. Defender Zach Reid is still on a modified training program after suffering back-related stress before Christmas following a history of back issues. Defender James Stewart (foot) is also still in the rehabilitation group, while draftee Jayden Davey has been placed on the inactive list as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury he suffered early last year.
Who is back from surgery/injury?
The Bombers had no post-season surgeries in a big win for new coach Brad Scott.
Midfielder-forward Jake Stringer has returned to main training after a lingering groin complaint last year.
Harrison Jones and Tex Wanganeen had also been on modified programs before Christmas but have since returned to main training.
Players who won’t play round 1
Elijah Tsatas, Jayden Davey, Anthony Munkara.
FREMANTLE
Who is fit and firing?
Matthew Johnson has been impressing his teammates on the track and looks primed for a debut, while fellow second-year midfielder Neil Erasmus has also shone, winning two of the Dockers’ four 1km time trials for first to four-year players before Christmas. On-baller Caleb Serong and defender Heath Chapman prevailed in the other two. Coach Justin Longmuir has highlighted the training form and improved fitness of key forward Josh Treacy, as well as the early influence of Hawthorn recruit Jaeger O’Meara. Liam Henry is another to have caught the eye.
Who is injured or in recovery?
Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe has sat out recent match simulation as he makes his way back from an injury-hampered 2022. Defender Nathan Wilson is nursing a broken finger and has been restricted to running laps, while draftee Hugh Davies has joined some drills as he overcomes a back injury. Spearhead Matt Taberner has been building his loads this pre-season. Recruit Corey Wagner has worn a no-contact hat due to a bandaged right hand.
GEELONG
Who is fit and firing?
The reigning premiers are up and about as some of the club’s young talent continues to push for more senior opportunities.
Midfielder Max Holmes has been impressing after missing last year’s Grand Final success through injury, while new recruits Jack Bowes, Tanner Bruhn and Ollie Henry have all caught the eye.
Who is injured?
Tom Hawkins is the only major injury concern, with the key forward being eased back into things after he had surgery on a foot injury last October.
Hawkins is set to resume running next week but faces a delayed start to the season.
Young ruckman Toby Conway also has a foot injury, while veteran ruckman Jon Ceglar is being carefully managed through the summer following injury issues last year.
Who is back from surgery/injury?
Defender Jed Bews had surgery on his shoulder post-season.
Players who won’t play round 1
Tom Hawkins, Toby Conway.
GOLD COAST
Who is fit and firing?
Young midfielder-forward Sam Flanders has been a standout performer on the track this pre-season. Track watchers report the 21-year-old has been matching it with the best trainers at the club, has lifted his leadership and impressed coaches. Brandon Ellis set a club record in the club’s 2km time trial last week. Jack Lukosius is another track observes say has taken a leap forward in his preparation this pre-season, looking bigger and ran a personal best in the time trial.
Who is injured or in recovery?
Ben King is closing in on a return to full training 11 months after injuring his ACL. King is now completing football drills, but not completing full contact work, as he targets a round one comeback. King is expected to reintegrate into full training in the next couple of weeks. Defender Lachie Weller is also making strong progress in his ACL recovery and is closing in on a return to training with the main group as he targets an early-season return. Connor Budarick is starting to build up his recovery and has resumed running after his second ACL injury.
Who is back from surgery/injury?
Wil Powell (ankle), Charlie Ballard (knee), Joel Jeffrey (knee) and Sam Day (knee) are all back in full training after recovering from injuries at the end of last season.
Players who won’t play round 1
Weller is considered “touch and go” for the start of the home-and-away season, while Budarick is aiming for a mid-season return.
GWS GIANTS
Who is fit and firing?
Young midfielder Finn Callaghan and forward Brent Daniels have looked strong on the track after missing time through injury last season. Off-season recruit Toby Bedford has also impressed since joining from the Demons, winning the 2km time trial. Captains Toby Greene, Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly have all been training strongly.
Who is injured?
Sam Taylor (wrist), Lachie Whitfield (ankle) and Phil Davis (hamstring) remain in the Giants rehab group after surgeries last year, but all have resumed running and started skills work. Whitfield and Taylor are taking part in some match play.
Who is back from surgery/injury/illness?
Callaghan (foot) and Daniels (foot/hamstrings) have impressed in their return from injury, while Taylor, Whitfield and Davis are transitioning back into full training.
Players who won’t play round 1
Rookie Nick Madden, who underwent foot surgery in December, and draftee Max Gruzewski (knee surgery in December) are the only players who won’t be available. All others are likely to take part in pre-season matches at this point.
HAWTHORN
Who is fit and firing?
Hawks high-performance manager Peter Burge said key forward Mitch Lewis was looking very strong, running well and standing out. Lewis missed the end of last season due to a posterior cruciate ligament injury. Draftee Josh Weddle has posted some impressive running times since joining the club, including winning its time trial, comprising four 1km segments with short breaks in between.
Who is injured or in recovery?
Second-year midfielder Josh Ward — last pre-season’s time trial winner — will spend a short time sidelined due to a hip and groin issue from before the Christmas break. He was on a modified program and was now having his loads built up.
Irishman Conor Nash has also faced a delayed start to 2023 while he rehabilitates a knee problem, having felt sore from the last session before the break. They will move back into skills drills in the next two to three weeks.
Who is back from surgery/injury?
Midfielder James Worpel (shoulder) is back in full contact training after sitting out some of the more physical drills pre-Christmas. Defender Sam Frost is healthy after having his 2022 campaign ended by a knee injury and has resumed full training this week.
Ruckman Ned Reeves has recovered from season-ending shoulder surgery and will be back in contact training next week. Lewis (knee), Changkuoth Jiath (wrist), Chad Wingard (hamstring), Jarman Impey (ankle), Lachlan Bramble (back), Josh Morris (shoulder) and Tyler Brockman (shoulder) are also back with the main group.
Players who won’t play round 1
No one has been ruled out at the moment.
MELBOURNE
Who is fit and firing?
The usual suspects are looking good on the track, including captain Max Gawn and gun midfielder Christian Petracca.
Recruit Brodie Grundy completed some extra sessions with his new teammates over the Christmas break and has slotted in well.
After being close to making an AFL debut late last season, young forward Jacob Van Rooyen has impressed as he pushes his case for opportunities early in 2023.
Who is injured?
Melbourne captain Max Gawn hurt his hamstring at training and faces a nervous wait as he undergoes scans.
Key forward Ben Brown is still on managed workloads after he had post-season surgery on his knee last year.
Backman Joel Smith is still recovering from ankle surgery, while key defender Jake Lever has been dealing with some recent ankle soreness.
Who is back from surgery/injury?
Key forward Tom McDonald has resumed main training and is running well after having surgery post-season to remove a plate from his foot.
McDonald said recently he was “doing everything now” and was pushing it “each week to do a little bit more” without “going over the edge”.
Players who won’t play round 1
No one has been ruled out at the moment.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Who is fit and firing?
Son-of-a-gun Jackson Archer has caught the eye this pre-season, impressing in the club’s time trial when training resumed in January. Archer pushed back-to-back club champion Jy Simpkin all the way to finish second in the 1.8km test.
Veteran Midfielder Ben Cunnington praised the pre-season form of midfielder Will Phillips, who he said had been “leading the way” in match simulation in his comeback from illness. Defender Ben McKay had also taken his game to “another level” this summer, according to Cunnington.
Who is injured?
Aidan Corr strained his calf just before Christmas during his break, but has resumed running. Corr is set to build his training loads over the next four weeks as he targets a return to full training in February.
Defensive recruit Griffin Logue (groin) is in the rehab program, but is set to rejoin the main training group in February.
Midfielder Darcy Tucker is also in the rehab group and is building his running volume after a meniscus repair in September. Miller Bergman (shoulder) is expected to make a return to unrestricted training in two weeks.
Who is back from surgery/injury?
After having his season wiped out following two bouts of glandular fever last year, young midfielder Phillips is back in full training and turning heads with his form.
Players who won’t play round 1
Draftee Brayden George won’t be available as he continues his ACL rehabilitation. George had surgery on his knee in August last year and the Kangaroos said he is unlikely to play in 2023.
PORT ADELAIDE
Who is fit and firing?
Power coach Ken Hinkley described goalsneak Orazio Fantasia as a shining light this pre-season.
Fantasia did not take to the field at AFL level last year, suffering multiple setbacks with a quad injury, but was now being talked up as almost being like a new recruit.
Evergreen Travis Boak won the Power’s most recent time trial. Zak Butters and Miles Bergman are also said to be looking good, having both got stronger.
Who is injured or in recovery?
Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines is building after off-season knee surgery and is expected to resume skills training in the next week or two.
Defender Jase Burgoyne is running again after landing awkwardly on the club’s pre-season camp on the Sunshine Coast last month and having a knee procedure.
He is expected to return to training following the Power’s four-day break at the end of next week.
Tall forward Ollie Lord has been sidelined with a lacerated kidney, sustained in a heavy collision at training this week. The club says a recovery timeline will become clearer in coming weeks. Port Adelaide’s top pick of 2021, Josh Sinn, is working his way back from groin issues.
Who is back from surgery/injury?
Young gun Jason Horne-Francis and forward Mitch Georgiades are both in full training after having surgeries before Christmas. Horne-Francis had an operation to decompress the arteries behind his knees in October, while Georgiades had ankle surgery last month.
Restricted to just four games in 2022 due to shoulder issues, ruckman Scott Lycett is back to full fitness.
Backmen Lachie Jones (hamstring) and Tom Clurey (knee) are training well but being managed through some sessions. Small forward Jed McEntee is building back from a hamstring problem.
Players who won’t play round 1
Defender Jake Pasini is tracking well and may play in practice games but is no certainty to be available for the first round considering he is returning from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
RICHMOND
Who is fit and firing?
GWS recruit Tim Taranto has impressed since joining the club, winning its 2km time trials either side of Christmas.
His fellow new recruit Jacob Hopper has also been a standout during match simulation.
Half-back Hugh Ralphsmith finished second in the time trial last week while there’s no surprises that Tiger players have been talking up the resurgence of Dustin Martin.
Who is injured or in recovery?
The Tigers’ top pick of 2021, Josh Gibcus, underwent hamstring surgery on Thursday after an injury on Monday. Key forward Tom Lynch is back running and progressing well from a pre-Christmas procedure for plantar fasciitis.
Defender Nick Vlastuin has a small crack in his ribs so will be in non-contact training for the next couple of weeks but is on track to play in round 1.
Midfielder Jack Graham is building his running loads as he recovers from a toe injury.
Who is back from surgery/injury?
Veteran defender Dylan Grimes returned in great shape from season-ending hamstring injury.
Players who won’t play round 1
Gibcus will be unavailable, expected to miss the first two to four weeks of the season.
ST KILDA
Who is fit and firing?
Speedster Brad Hill won St Kilda’s 3km time trial upon its return to training in January, with young key forward Matthew Allison and second-year midfielder Marcus Windhager rounding out the top-three. Windhager has been one of the all-round stars over summer and looks set for a big season. Ruckman Rowan Marshall is also looking good on the track.
Who is injured?
Defender Nick Coffield (ACL/hamstring), ruckman Tom Campbell (achilles) and midfielder Zak Jones (calf) are all still working their way back to fitness after some minor lingering issues but are on track to play pre-season games next month.
Draftee Isaac Keeler (knee) should be available come Round 1, but fellow draftee Olli Hotton faces a longer period on the sidelines as he manages a stress fracture in his back.
There is still no time frame on a return for key forward Max King after he had shoulder surgery in mid-December, but he is expected to miss the early part of the season.
Who is back from surgery/injury?
Jack Billings had back surgery last September to correct a disc protrusion but has resumed training with the main group this month.
Players who won’t play round 1
Max King, Olli Hotton.
SYDNEY
Who is fit and firing?
Forward Isaac Heeney looks in good shape, as does midfielder Callum Mills who has been working hard on the track.
Dylan Stephens won the club’s 2km time trial for first-to-fourth year players before Christmas, followed by Errol Gulden and Corey Wagner.
Who is injured?
Exciting young forward Joel Amartey faces an uphill battle to be available for Round 1 as he recovers from a serious hamstring injury.
The Swans’ only other injury concerns are very short-term, with Lewis Melican (adductor) and Lachie Rankin (knee) expected to be fit to return to main training in the next week or two.
Who is back from surgery/injury?
Heeney and Hayden McLean both had nose operations post-season, but those haven’t affected their respective pre-season campaigns.
Veteran forward Lance Franklin had another operation on his finger at the end of last season, but similarly that has not had an impact on his training over summer.
Players who won’t play round 1
No one has been ruled out at this stage.
WEST COAST
Who is fit and firing?
Veteran defender Jeremy McGovern has said he is in career-best shape and looks trimmer, having overcome a rib injury that sidelined him from round 14 last year.
Small forward Jamie Cripps won the Eagles’ 2km time trial before Christmas, ahead of midfielders Greg Clark and Jai Culley.
Who is injured or in recovery?
Reigning best-and-fairest Tom Barrass is running while wearing a protective cast after injuring his right hand in training earlier this month. Liam Duggan and Jake Waterman are both managing knee issues and are training away from the main group.
Premier defender Tom Cole tweaked an ankle injury on Monday, spending most of Wednesday’s session watching from the sidelines and doing handball drills.
Who is back from surgery/injury?
Wingman Dom Sheed played just one game in 2022 due to ankle and lower leg injuries but had impressed in match simulation.
Elliot Yeo, who featured just five times last season amid a hamstring issue, had also stood out this summer and was training with the midfielders.
Players who won’t play round 1
No one has been ruled out at this stage.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Who is fit and firing?
Key defender Alex Keath has trimmed up this pre-season, dropping five-six kilograms ahead of his 2023 campaign.
Track watchers also reported midfielder Tom Liberatore and ruckman Tim English to be looking sharp in the sessions so far.
After two injury-hit seasons, midfielder Toby McLean was a standout in the club’s time trials. In positional moves, forward Josh Bruce is being trialled in defence this summer.
Who is injured?
Midfielder Adam Treloar is still training away from the main group as he continues to recover from off-season ankle surgery. The club has not put a timeline on his return to full training as it monitors his progress.
Star midfielder Bailey Smith has also been on a modified load since training resumed due to general soreness, but is expected to transition back to full training next week.
Who is back from surgery/injury?
Young gun Sam Darcy has returned to training with the main group after he suffered an infection in his knee due to an ingrown hair, which had restricted him to light duties before Christmas.
Players who won’t play round 1
No Bulldogs have been ruled out for the start of the home-and-away season at this stage.
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Originally published as AFL pre-season 2023: Lewis Young to make quick recovery from injury, Jacob van Rooyen pushing for Demons debut
‘Overdone’: Shock Welcome to Country take
The former Geelong forward and proud Aboriginal man has very strong feelings about “overdone” Welcome to Country ceremonies.
Tragedy, triumph and the phone call that changed everything
Logan Evans started 2023 as a highly-rated draft prospect. But in the space of two months, his life was turned upside down. The teenager was then hit with another blow in November – before the phone rang.