AFL 2021: Injury list for every club ahead of Round 1
The 2021 AFL season is just around the corner, but already injuries have started to mount. See which clubs have been worst affected.
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The opening round of the 2021 AFL season is just around the corner, but already the pre-season injury toil has continued to mount.
See who is fighting the clock to be fit at each club.
ADELAIDE
Wayne Milera’s hardluck run continues, with the 23-year-old undergoing surgery on a ruptured patella tendon that will end his season before it begins.
Matt Crouch and Tom Doedee got through games in the AFL and SANFL teams after battling groin soreness.
Daniel Talia (knee) is still on the comeback trail and a longshot for round one.
Young key defender Jordon Butts suffered a minor rolled ankle against Port but should be able to play in Round 1
David Mackay (concussion) also sat out the practice match with the Power, while draftee Brayden Cook is aiming to be ready by round five as he recovers from a shoulder reconstruction.
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BRISBANE
Cam Rayner is the latest casualty at Brisbane after rupturing his ACL in the club’s Community Series clash with the Suns.
The heartbreaking injury will likely see the former No. 1 draft pick sidelined for the entire 2021 season.
Darcy Gardiner (knee) and Dan McStay (knee) are also likely to miss the opening rounds of the season through of injury, while Nakia Cockatoo (hamstring) is tracking well but will likely play at the VFL level next week to get some match fitness.
Connor McFadyen (knee) is also yet to return to full fitness after suffering an ACL injury last July.
CARLTON
Carlton expects Harry McKay to be fit to tackle Richmond next Thursday night, despite the key forward still having not returned to full training.
McKay, who re-injured his ankle against St Kilda in last week’s AAMI Community Series clash, completed a light skills session and some running alone at training on Friday.
He will need to complete full training at the Blues’ main session on Monday to be considered for selection in the season-opener.
“Harry’s had a little ankle interruption but hopefully he’ll train really well and be ready,” Carlton assistant coach Cameron Bruce said.
“At this point in time, on what we’ve seen, he’s progressing really well.
“He’s an important player to our group from a structural point of view and we just know how good a talent he is. He should be right to go. But we’ve got another few training sessions to get through before we can lock that away.”
Defender Jacob Weitering (hip) trained fully on Friday and has been declared fit to tackle the Tigers, but forward Mitch McGovern (back) was restricted to running laps and is expected to miss.
Midfielder Jack Newnes (ankle) and big man Levi Casboult (knee) will both face fitness tests but are progressing well.
Bruce said that the Blues would have no hesitation picking small forward Eddie Betts (calf) off a limited preparation.
Betts only played a half in a VFL practice match last week but kicked two goals and has been lively on the training track.
“He’s a proven big-game player,” Bruce said.
“Our fitness staff prepare the players to be able to come in and be able to have an immediate impact and those more experienced players don’t need the big amount of training that a younger, inexperienced player might need to give them the conditioning.
“So he’s a player that can come in and have an impact, that’s for sure.”
COLLINGWOOD
Steele Sidebottom faces a race against time to prove his fitness for Friday week’s clash with Western Bulldogs after scans revealed a small “nick” in his calf.
The Magpies veteran lasted only five minutes of play in the pre-season clash with Richmond. He is only a 50/50 chance of tackling the Dogs.
Will Kelly faces yet another long stint on the sidelines after fracturing his collarbone.
The Pies are confident Taylor Adams (hamstring) will be right to play in Round 1, though he needs to have a strong week on the track. Brody Mihocek (calf) and Chris Mayne (concussion) will be available.
Mark Keane (finger tendon) resumed full training this week, with a glove, while draftee Reef McInnes (finger) is edging closer to rejoining the group.
ESSENDON
There will be a few faces in the Bombers’ Round 1 outfit with a handful of debutants tipped due to some injury concerns to senior players.
James Stewart looks set to spend up to 10 weeks on the sidelines after a significant hamstring injury, adding to the Bombers’ big man woes.
Jake Stringer’s Achilles issue is likely to keep him out of the Hawks’ clash.
Nick Hind was given the all-clear from his shoulder injury from last week.
David Zaharakis is working hard to return from a knee injury, but is unlikely to play for a few more weeks.
There is still no timeline on Michael Hurley’s return from his hip infection.
Patrick Ambrose (foot) remains sidelined.
FREMANTLE
The Dockers were hit hard by injuries in their AAMI Community Series match against West Coast.
Michael Walters (hamstring) and Rory Lobb (knee) will both miss the opening rounds of the season.
Robb has avoided the need for surgery but will be in a knee brace for at least six weeks, while scans have revealed at least a three week lay-off for Walters to recover from a hamstring injury.
Mitch Crowden is another casualty out of the West Coast match, suffering a tear in his lower calf area. He is set to miss around six weeks of football.
Meanwhile, Bailey Banfield has been forced to wear a moon boot after suffering a syndesmosis injury in his ankle during the AAMI Community Series match.
Adam Cerra (calf), Sean Darcy (knee), Griffin Logue (hamstring), Brett Bewley (quadriceps) and Luke Valente (calf) are all tracking well to be fit for Round 1 next week.
GEELONG
Geelong will be without Mitch Duncan for Round 1 because of a calf injury, while Esava Ratugolea will be sidelined for longer with a leg fracture after an unlucky incident at training.
Ratugolea is expected to be out of action for at least another two weeks after he was kicked in the leg in the same area he had previously fractured.
Luke Dahlhaus played a half in the VFL last week and was expected to be available for Round 1, while ruckman Rhys Stanley (concussion) was also expected to play.
Darcy Fort (knee) and Sam Simpson (shoulder) will miss the early rounds of the season.
GOLD COAST
Key defender Sam Collins (foot) is back in full training and returned against Brisbane on Monday night in an impressive showing having been matched up with Joe Daniher.
He was off his feet for the past few weeks with soreness but looks to have recovered well.
Rory Thompson (partial ACL tear) and top-10 draftee Elijah Hollands (knee) are both working their way back from ACL injuries.
GWS GIANTS
Jesse Hogan (quadriceps) is a chance to play in two weekends’ time, but almost certainly in the Giants’ reserves.
However, Lachie Whitfield (bruised liver) is officially out for round one and may be as many as six weeks away.
Ruck recruit Braydon Preuss and utility Adam Kennedy both face up to four months further on the sidelines recovering from respective shoulder reconstructions.
Preuss’ ruck replacement, Matthew Flynn (ankle), is on track for the season opener, as is former captain Phil Davis (knee). Brent Daniels (hamstring) and Lachie Keeffe (ankle) could also be available.
Tom Hutchesson (hamstring) will be restricted for another 1-2 weeks.
HAWTHORN
The Hawks remain hopeful star duo Tom Mitchell (shoulder) and Chad Wingard (calf) will be available for Round 1, but Jack Scrimshaw is doubtful due to bone bruising.
Reigning best and fairest winner Jack Gunston will likely be sidelined until sometime in April after an expected five-month recovery from back surgery in December.
James Sicily is continuing his progression from his anterior cruciate ligament injury and will likely be out until at least August.
Ruckman Keegan Brooksby is four weeks away with an ankle injury, while Jack Saunders and Seamus Mitchell have returned to the fold.
MELBOURNE
The Demons can’t take a trick, with Steven May having to make a quick recovery from concussion if he is to be ready after a concussion in the loss to the Western Bulldogs.
Jack Viney is already out for Round 1 after summer foot issues, while Jay Lockhart is out medium-term after testicle surgery.
Angus Brayshaw (foot), Jake Melksham (hamstring) and Christian Salem (hamstring) are yet to be ruled out for Round 1 but have had little to no match practice in recent weeks.
Ben Brown (knee) and Sam Weideman (leg) are both out for at least a month, with Aaron Neitschke and Marty Hore out for the year after summer ACL tears.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Trent Dumont will miss the Kangaroos’ season-opener after a setback with his calf injury and is more likely for Round 2 or 3.
But Jed Anderson (calf), Jared Polec (hamstring), Ben Cunnington (concussion) and Aaron Hall (groin) are all on track to play in the first game.
Aidan Bonar is ready to resume main training from his calf issue and Matt McGuinness has recovered from his finger injury.
Tristan Xerri (groin) will be tested for a chance to line up in the VFL this week, while fellow big man Charlie Comben (leg) will not be available until the second half of the year.
Comben has a tibial stress fracture.
PORT ADELAIDE
Connor Rozee starred in the Power’s big win over the Crows, and then the club announced he was off for surgery on his foot issue.
The surgery was a success and Rozee could be back in action inside a month.
Robbie Gray and Tom Jonas played in the final Community Series game, while Hamish Hartlett (managed), Trent McKenzie (corky) and Todd Marshall (cheek contusion) sat out.
Sam Powell-Pepper (hand) also did not play and Ken Hinkley said he might be right come Round 1.
RICHMOND
In an ominous warning to its flag rivals, Richmond is looking very healthy as it heads into next week’s season opener.
Only Bachar Houli (calf) appears to be unlikely for Round 1 due to a calf issue that has lingered since late last year. Tom Lynch (toe) and Dion Prestia (hamstring) didn’t face Collingwood in last week’s AAMI Community Series clash, but they will be available for the blockbuster against Carlton.
Noah Cumberland (knee) is six to eight weeks away, while Ivan Soldo (knee) is expected back late in the year.
ST KILDA
Veteran midfielder Dan Hannebery (calf) will miss the start of the season, and perhaps a bit longer after that. Midfielder Zak Jones (hamstring) is racing the clock to be ready for Round 1 while captain Jarryn Geary (fractured leg) and Ryan Byrnes (hamstring) are out for extended periods.
Off-season recruit James Frawley will miss two months with a hamstring injury, while Ben Paton (broken leg) will miss the entire season after a freak accident.
To make matters worse, ruckman Paddy Ryder is away from the club on personal leave.
It means the Saints could start the season without their two known ruckmen, with big man Rowan Marshall (foot) unavailable.
SYDNEY
Key Swan Callum Mills will need to pass the 12-day concussion protocol, including completing three main group training sessions, in order to face Brisbane in round one.
He reported delayed concussion symptoms after Sunday’s AAMI Community Series match with the Giants.
All-Australian defender Jake Lloyd (knee sprain) is set to play in round one after sitting out the GWS contest.
Superstar forward Lance Franklin (calf) is in full training and targeting a return in the early rounds.
Robbie Fox (finger) will miss about two more months, while hardluck ruckman Sam Naismith doesn’t have a timeline for his return from his ACL setback last year.
WEST COAST
Recruit Zac Langdon is on track for a Round 1 selection after copping a nasty head knock in Sunday’s AAMI Community Series match with Fremantle.
Elliot Yeo (osteitis pubis) isn’t training yet, but is completing a significant running block and remains on track to return in the early rounds of the season, after last playing in round 11 last year.
Mark Hutchings (Iliotibial band) is preparing to start running again post-surgery, while Daniel Venables hasn’t resumed contact work, but is progressing well from his long-term concussion issues.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Western Bulldogs defender Hayden Crozier is set to miss up to eight weeks after undergoing shoulder surgery, but fellow backman Easton Wood remains a chance of taking on Collingwood in the Round 1 clash on Friday week.
Crozier suffered an AC joint injury in last Monday’s clash with Melbourne, with the club’s head of medical services Chris Bell saying the surgery “went well”.
“We’ll concrete his time frame in the next couple of days … but we expect Hayden to miss the next six to eight weeks of footy,” Bell said.
Wood is edging closer to a return from his hamstring injury and would be a welcome addition for the Dogs if he can prove his fitness early next week.
“Easton’s had a fantastic block of training following his hamstring strain,” Bell said. “He’s ticked off full speed and will re-integrate back into full training this week. I’ll work with the match committee over the next seven days to determine his availability for the Round 1 clash.”
Bell said the club was confident Aaron Naughton (arm) and Laitham Vandermeer (hip) would be right to tackle Collingwood.
“Aaron sustained a heavy hit to his forearm from an opposition knee. We took him out of the game and sent him for scans, which have cleared any bone damage,” Bell said.
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