Ultimate pre-season guide: Where all 18 clubs are placed, who’s back and delayed starts
Tom Doedee did everything he could to avoid shoulder surgery but had to go under the knife in a major off-season setback for the Crows. When will he be back?
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Adelaide leadership group member Tom Doedee will be unable to engage in contact drills until next year after surgery on his shoulder.
Despite taking “every sort of option we could” to avoid surgery, Doedee had to go under the knife four weeks ago after realising “it was inevitable in the end”.
Doedee hurt the shoulder in the middle of the year and initially thought he could avoid surgery on it.
“I tried to get through the off-season ... I wasn’t trying to avoid surgery, but more trying to rehab it to a point where it was strong enough,” Doedee said on Tuesday.
“But another ligament had gone, so we realised we needed to operate on it.
“So basically we just fixed the AC joint.”
Doedee said he was planning to get out of a sling this week, but wouldn’t be all systems go when the Crows return to pre-season shortly.
“Ideally I’ll be back running soon and then can get into contact next year and build up for round 1,” he said.
“I would have had it at the start of the off-season but at that stage it wasn’t the clearest path and we took every sort of option we could to avoid surgery, but it was inevitable in the end.”
Doedee was at West Lakes on Tuesday to welcome participants from the AFL’s National Inclusion Carnival for a behind-the-scenes look.
He said it was something close to his heart with his family looking after his mum’s best friend’s son when he was younger, his sister-in-law who has down syndrome and his brother being a double leg amputee.
“For me it’s the most rewarding thing I can do,” he said.
“You get better in life by giving back to people and that makes you a better person in general.”
PRE-SEASON GUIDE: WHERE IS YOUR CLUB AT?
Melbourne’s most recent off-season recruits Lachie Hunter and Josh Schache have been put through their paces in a high intensity running session with their new teammates.
The former Bulldogs pair hit the track at Olympic Park on Monday morning alongside Dees stars Christian Petracca, Jack Viney and Tom McDonald.
Teams that missed the finals or lost in the first week are not officially due back until November 21 but many players are already looking to get ahead for season 2023.
Petracca had been at Red Bull’s Athlete Performance Centre in Austria, while teammates Max Gawn and Ed Langdon have ridden bikes through the Alps, tackling the gruelling Mount Ventoux.
McDonald missed a large chunk of this season due to a Lisfranc foot injury but made it back late to feature in the Casey’s VFL finals campaign and has begun to ramp his training.
Meanwhile, a group of St Kilda players have sought to impress new coach Ross Lyon, holding an off-season running session in the rain at Moorabbin.
Lyon, who coached the Saints from 2007-11, was appointed to the role again on Monday and some of his new charges responded late in the week by hitting the track, as well as the gym.
Among the contingent of more than 20 were captain Jack Steele, All-Australian Jack Sinclair and gun defender Callum Wilkie.
Jack Gresham was also part of the group despite being on light duties in the lead-up to Christmas because of a knee injury.
.
As North Melbourne aims to climb off the bottom of the ladder in 2023, a group including Tarryn Thomas, Will Phillips, Luke McDonald, Jackson Archer, Charlie Comben and Paul Curtis has been training regularly at the club.
And not just by training locally.
With AFL players now able to freely travel the world after two years of the pandemic, many have travelled overseas in a bid to get an edge.
Port Adelaide veteran Travis Boak has taken Ryan Burton, Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Mitch Georgiades to California to train with human movement specialist Austin Einhorn.
Carlton players Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh, Paddy Dow, Zac Fisher and new Essendon recruit Will Setterfield visited the Nike headquarters in Oregon.
Collingwood star Jordan De Goey returned to Bali for off-season training, bumping into Demons coach Simon Goodwin over there.
In Brisbane, Lions recruit Josh Dunkley was at his new club this week after his move from the Western Bulldogs.
The Lions will have skipper Dayne Zorko and half-back Daniel Rich both attacking pre-season without any restrictions.
Brisbane football manager Danny Daly said Rich had lost a couple of kilograms and was looking fit.
Key forward Joe Daniher had a shoulder clean-out during the break but was set to join his teammates for the start of pre-season training in December.
While the first to four-year players at the majority of clubs are back on November 21, the rest of their squads start on December 5.
For the top six clubs, the return dates are November 28 and December 5.
Teams are not allowed to ask their squad to come back early or run formal training sessions until they officially start, but players are able to go into clubs during their breaks.
An AFL Players Association report found footballers who felt trusted by their clubs to train inside and outside the club were rewarded with better on-field performances.
ADELAIDE
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 21
Others – December 5
Who is fit? Informal groups of up to 15 players have been getting together at the Crows’ West Lakes base. The likes of Jordon Butts and Darcy Fogarty have been regulars in the club’s gym and out on Football Park.
Who is starting on time?
After missing the bulk of the 2022 campaign with a ruptured ACL, Adelaide captain Rory Sloane is working hard in his rehabilitation and been hitting the gym. Whether he takes part in main sessions to begin pre-season is to be confirmed. Will Hamill, who missed the end of last season with concussion, had a been training in the club’s gym during his break.
Who was in for surgery?
Tom Doedee and Ben Keays went under the knife to fix AC joint issues, while Lachlan Murphy had a foot operation.
New faces
Gold Coast recruit Izak Rankine has also had AC joint surgery but has been in the Crows’ gym and also been watching his new clubmates, Adelaide’s AFLW side, at a home match.
BRISBANE
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 28
Others – December 5
Who is fit?
Two veterans on the Brisbane list are ready to launch into their pre-season campaign after interrupted preparations last summer. Lions general manager of football Danny Daly said skipper Dayne Zorko and half-back Daniel Rich will both benefit from being able to attack a full pre-season campaign without restriction leading into 2023. “‘Zorks’ had his hiccups with his calf and his achilles at the start of last year and couldn’t do much (in the) pre-season but he is looking very fit at the minute when I have seen him a couple of times wandering through the club and he will be better for being able to have a big pre-season,” Daly said. “Richy was pretty much the same last pre-season, couldn’t do much with his calf but he is looking fit and lost a couple of kgs so he is ready to go.”
Who is starting on time?
Noah Ainsworth (shoulder) and Oscar McInerney (ankle) are rehabbing injuries and will initially be focused on strength programs when they return for the start of the pre-season, but Daly expects them to be able to join in skill work before Christmas. All will be available for the start of the season.
Who was in for surgery?
Key forward Joe Daniher, midfielder Jarrod Berry and defender Darcy Gardiner all had shoulder clean-outs immediately post-season and are recovering well. Daly said the trio will join their teammates for the official start of pre-season training, but will likely remain on a modified program in the rehab group until Christmas.
New faces
The Lions welcomed former Western Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley and three-time Hawthorn premiership player Jack Gunston during the trade period. Dunkley has already been at the Lions this week inspecting the club’s new facility and Gunston is expected to arrive in mid-November. Both of the trade recruits will join their teammates for the start of pre-season training in early December. “We’re very thankful to get them and we think they’ll add to our group quite nicely and make us a better team,” Daly said.
CARLTON
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 21
Others – December 5
Who is fit?
Many Carlton players have been enjoying some time away, but some have some have been back in the gym and on the treadmills alongside coach Michael Voss.
Who is starting on time?
Midfielder George Hewett missed the final five games of the season with a back injury which required surgery but is expected to be ready to resume pre-season.
Who was in for surgery?
Ruckman Marc Pittonet (knee surgery) and midfielder Matt Kennedy (foot surgery) should both be back running when they return to training in December, before being eased into full contact work. Forward Corey Durdin is not expected to resume full training until January after having a shoulder reconstruction but will be back in a full running program at the start of pre-season.
New faces
Fremantle recruit Blake Acres is in the process of moving to Melbourne after spending some time in the US with former Dockers teammates post-season.
COLLINGWOOD
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 28
Others – December 5
Who is fit?
Jordan De Goey returned to Bali but this recent time in Indonesia was far less controversial with the Pies star there for some off-season training.
Who is starting on time?
The Magpies have given older players such as Scott Pendlebury, Jeremy Howe and Steele Sidebottom permission to delay their pre-season start until next year. They are training away from the club and will be free to come and go as they please over the coming months.
Who was in for surgery?
To be advised.
New faces
Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell has been training in the US, linking up with Travis Boak’s guru Austin Einhorn in California. Former Adelaide defender Billy Frampton has been at the club since his move from the Crows.
ESSENDON
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 21
Others – December 5
Who is fit?
Mid-season draftee Massimo D’Ambrosio is training hard ahead of his first summer in an AFL program. The 19-year-old rebounding defender impressed on debut in the second half of the season for the Bombers and is showing a determination to take his game to another level. Young key forward Harrison Jones has had a rough run with injury in recent years but is eyeing a full pre-season, which should set him up for a big 2023. Jones battled foot and ankle issues last summer and did not feature at AFL level until round 11 this year. A group of 10 to 15 Essendon players have already been getting together for regular training sessions before pre-season begins, comprised of a good cross-section of younger and senior players.
Who is starting on time?
Exciting young wingman Nik Cox missed the second half of last season with an ankle injury but was almost back in full training by Round 23 and is ready to attack his third pre-season at Tullamarine.
Who was in for surgery?
The Bombers had no post-season surgeries in a big win for new coach Brad Scott. However, Tex Wanganeen (foot) and James Stewart (foot) both finished the season on the sidelines and are expected to remain on modified training programs before Christmas.
New faces
Trade period recruits Sam Weideman and Will Setterfield have been enjoying their time off but are set to join their new teammates on the track when pre-season starts. Scott has already been into the club most days to catch up with players one-on-one and is getting involved in the build-up to the national draft, in which Essendon holds a strong hand.
FREMANTLE
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 28
Others – December 5
Who is fit?
Star Andrew Brayshaw isn’t resting on his career best season, with the gun midfielder a constant presence at the Dockers’ Cockburn facility. Young guns Heath Chapman, Josh Treacy and Matt Johnson have also been at Fremantle’s training base looking to take the next step in 2023.
Who is starting on time?
Captain Nat Fyfe is slowly building back to full fitness while in Nicaragua, training on a baseball pitch in the jungle. He said he is gradually reloading his tendons and joints.
Who was in for surgery?
To be advised
New faces
Prized recruit Luke Jackson has joined Brayshaw and co for sessions at Cockburn.
GEELONG
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 28
Others – December 5
Who is fit?
Just days after being a part of the Cats’ flag success, Mark O’Connor turned out for Gaelic side Dingle in Ireland, showing no signs of fatigue.
Who is starting on time?
Geelong should have the vast majority of its playing list available for the start of pre-season, once the Cats finish celebrating their premiership success.
Who was in for surgery?
Star full forward Tom Hawkins underwent surgery on his foot and is in doubt for round 1. Defender Jed Bews had surgery on his shoulder.
New faces
Ollie Henry has been at the club with gun brother, Jack, after his move from Collingwood. Tanner Bruhn has also been at the club after his move from GWS and has been hitting the gym. Jack Bowes has been spending time on the Gold Coast with now former teammates after he was traded from the Suns.
GOLD COAST
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 21
Others – December 5
Who is fit?
Heading into his fourth campaign, forward/midfielder Sam Flanders has been doing additional running sessions and is in super shape.
Who is starting on time?
Defender Charlie Ballard (knee) and forward Joel Jeffrey (knee) missed the last four and nine rounds respectively this year but should have no limitations by the beginning of pre-season.
Who was in for surgery?
No Suns players required off-season surgery but several were now on the comeback trail.
Ben King (knee), Will Powell (ankle) and Bodhi Uwland (back) are building into full training.
Veteran Sam Day is on a modified program after having knee surgery and missing the final game of last season.
New faces
Former Brisbane forward Tom Berry is rehabilitating from shoulder surgery and is also building back into full training.
GWS
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 21
Others – December 5
Who is fit?
South Australian defender Leek Aleer, who played four games this year, spent a short time in Adelaide post-season before returning to Sydney and had since been in the club most days. Braydon Preuss has also been doing plenty of extras during his break with ruck coach Shane Mumford.
Who is starting on time? Half-back Lachie Whitfield (ankle) had post-season surgery but will be good to go to start pre-season.
Who was in for surgery?
This year’s club champion, Sam Taylor (wrist), also went under the knife during the post-season but his training preparation will not be hampered.
New faces
Small forward Toby Bedford came up to Sydney before his trade from Melbourne went through before heading to Europe for a holiday. New coach Adam Kingsley has also been settling into his new role since being appointed in August.
HAWTHORN
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 21
Others – December 5
Who is fit?
A group of Hawks have already been back at the club working hard ahead of the official start of pre-season training. Ned Reeves, James Worpel, Josh Ward, Jai Newcombe, Harry Morrison and Jai Serong were spotted on track and in the gym this week, getting a headstart on their pre-season preparations. The players came together to train of their own initiative for some running, weights and light skills.
Who is starting on time?
Hawthorn had a string of players injured, on ice or managed towards the end of the regular season, including Sam Frost (knee), Mitch Lewis (knee), Changkuoth Jiath (wrist), Chad Wingard (wrist/hamstring), Lachlan Bramble (back) and Josh Morris (shoulder), but all are expected to be fit to attack the start of pre-season. Tyler Brockman is also ready to launch into the summer preparations after a longer recovery time from shoulder surgery in May.
Who was in for surgery?
Ruckman Ned Reeves and midfielder James Worpel both underwent shoulder surgery at the end of the home-and-away season, but the pair are expected to return on time for the official start of pre-season training. Jarman Impey also had surgery to repair a foot injury late in the regular season, but is also expected back for the resumption of pre-season training. Any modifications to their pre-season programs will be determined upon their return.
New faces
The Hawks secured free agent Karl Amon (Port Adelaide), Lloyd Meek (Fremantle) and Cooper Stephens (Geelong) during the trade period earlier this month. The trio remain on holidays overseas, but the Hawks expect the recruits to start filtering back to the club from the end of next week.
MELBOURNE
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 28
Others – December 5
Who is fit?
Star midfielder-forward Christian Petracca has spent time training at the Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre in Austria, which aims to help athletes better understand their body and mind to reach peak performance. Captain Max Gawn and wingman Ed Langdon have spent time bike riding through the Italian and French alps during their time off, while Jack Viney and Alex Neale-Bullen have been training hard as always.
Who is starting on time?
Forward Tom McDonald missed most of the second half of the season with an ankle injury and had surgery post-season to remove a plate from his foot but has ramped up his training loads.
Who was in for surgery?
Forward Ben Brown had a knee clean-out post season which will mean he will make a delayed return to the training track.
New faces
New recruits Brody Grundy, Lachie Hunter and Josh Schache have all spent time at the club since making their moves during the trade period, including meeting some new teammates in the gym. Former Western Bulldogs wingman Hunter said it was a “strange feeling pulling on new colours after 10 years” but he was thrilled to have a fresh start.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Return dates:
First to four-year players – November 21
Others – December 5
Who is fit?
Several Kangaroos have already been seen around the club regularly training as a group this off-season. Luke McDonald, Jackson Archer, Charlie Comben Tarryn Thomas, Paul Curtis and Will Phillips have all been spotted getting a head start on their pre-season preparations.
Who is starting on time?
The Kangaroos said Will Phillips (illness) was tracking well after bouts of glandular fever during the year. He is progressing his training loads as hoped. Miller Bergman (shoulder), Tristan Xerri (shoulder) and Jack Ziebell (shoulder) are all on track to start pre-season with the group.
Who was in for surgery?
Jared Polec is still rehabbing after his ankle surgery during the year. Polec will continue in the rehab group once he returns for pre-season training.
New faces
One of the Kangaroos’ two trade recruits from Fremantle, along with Griffin Logue, Darcy Tucker had knee surgery at the end of the home-and-away season. Tucker will be on a modified program pre-Christmas.
PORT ADELAIDE
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 21
Others – December 5
Who is fit?
Travis Boak has returned to the US to work with human movement specialist Austin Einhorn and brought Ryan Burton, Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Mitch Georgiades along with him. Aliir Aliir and Jake Pasini have been putting in some gruelling sessions in Perth.
Who is starting on time?
Orazio Fantasia is said to be feeling good after not playing an AFL game in 2022 because of injury. Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines will be managed through the early stages of pre-season training, while young half-back/wingman Josh Sinn will have a staggered progression into full drills when he returns in November.
Who is in for surgery?
Last year’s No. 1 pick Jason Horne-Francis underwent surgery on Wednesday to decompress the arteries behind his knees. Wines had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to clean out some loose bodies. Boak underwent a left side hernia repair. Sinn had a similar procedure, which also included an abdominal tendon repair. Georgiades had a syndesmosis repair on his left ankle and Riley Bonner had some scar tissue cleaned out from the back of his right ankle.
New faces
Horne-Francis will have a delayed start to his first pre-season at the Power, initially resting then going on a modified program, but is expected to be available in round 1.
Former West Coast forward Junior Rioli has been in Darwin and the Tiwi Islands. L
RICHMOND
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 21
Others – December 5
Who is fit?
Marlion Pickett, Noah Cumberland and Rhyan Mansell are three players who are particularly impressing with the training programs they are completing in their respective home states during their time off. The Tigers have said Pickett is “training his bum off” in Perth and is motivated to take another step forward with his game next year.
Who is starting on time?
The Tigers finished the season without any long-term injury concerns, meaning most of the playing list should be fit and healthy at the start of pre-season.
Who was in for surgery?
Ruckman Ivan Soldo underwent post-season wrist surgery but will still be able to get his conditioning in with no major delays expected in his preparation for next season.
New faces
Greater Western Sydney recruit Jacob Hopper visited Punt Rd for a day after he was secured during the trade period, meeting players including Dustin Martin and Tom Lynch. Fellow Giants recruit Tim Taranto had been spending time overseas in the United States but ventured into Punt Rd on Friday and met some new teammates in the gym.
ST KILDA
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 21
Others – December 5
Who is fit?
A group of about 20-plus Saints hit the gym and braved the rain for a running session at Moorabbin late this week. Getting a headstart on their pre-season campaign of their own volition, the group included skipper Jack Steele, Callum Wilkie, Jack Sinclair, Marcus Windhager, Mitch Owens, Seb Ross, Jade Gresham and Daniel McKenzie.
Who is starting on time?
Gresham (knee), Josh Battle (ankle) and Oscar Adams (back) will be on light duties in the lead-up to Christmas. But all are expected to resume full training early in the new year. Jack Hayes and Nick Coffield have already commenced running following their ACL ruptures and both are progressing.
Who was in for surgery?
Jack Billings is the only longer-term concern for the Saints this pre-season after back surgery in September to correct a disc protrusion. His recovery will push his return to training into early 2023.
New faces
Former Western Bulldog Zaine Cordy is the only new player to arrive at the Saints over the off-season after joining as a restricted free agent. Cordy has already been at the club, working out in the gym ahead of the official pre-season return. Off-field is where the big movement has been at Moorabbin as the returning Ross Lyon takes the reins as senior coach again and the Saints also welcome back favourite sons Robert Harvey and Lenny Hayes as assistants.
SYDNEY
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 28
Others – December 5
Who is recovering?
After being subbed out of Sydney’s grand final loss to Geelong with a recurrence of an adductor injury, forward Sam Reid is back running. The Swans said he is going well with his recovery and should be ready to launch into training in January.
Who is starting on time?
Isaac Heeney and Hayden McLean both had nose operations in the postseason, which won’t have any impact on their pre-season preparations.
Who was in for surgery?
Lance Franklin broke his finger in round 4 and missed one week. He bent the plate a couple of weeks later so the fracture never really healed for the year. Franklin had another operation at the end of the year, which went well. He is now running and will be ready to go for the official start of pre-season.
New faces
Former top-10 pick Aaron Francis (Essendon) was the Swans’ only acquisition during the trade period. Francis is packing up his place in Melbourne and will spend some time at the club next week.
WEST COAST
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 21
Others – December 5
Who is fit?
Star ruckman Nic Naitanui is coming off an injury-plagued eight-game campaign and knee surgery in August but has been hitting the track at McGillivray Oval with some of his teammates, training for more than an hour and working closely with a West Coast physiotherapist. The Eagles were confident at the time of his surgery that he would be ready for pre-season. West Coast’s top pick last year, Campbell Chesser, also took part in the session, along with Alex Witherden, Connor West, Greg Clark and Harry Edwards.
Luke Shuey, Dom Sheed and Tom Cole were part of a group training at the club’s base this week, along with second-year forward Jack Williams and mid-season draft pick Jai Culley.
A foot problem restricted Sheed to one game last season and Cole did not feature after having ankle surgery in February.
Who is starting on time?
The Eagles are expecting all players to be training early in the pre-season.
Who was in for surgery?
Naitanui (knee), Jake Waterman (knee), Jack Petruccelle (shoulder) and Alex Witherden (shoulder) all went under the knife during the off-season.
New faces
Ex-Melbourne speedster Jayden Hunt has been travelling in South America, including Chile, Peru and Bolivia, since being traded to West Coast.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Return dates
First to four-year players – November 21
Others – December 5
Who is fit?
The 2020 No. 1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is putting in the work and is looking in serious shape after he began to demonstrate his talent this year. Bailey Smith is also maintaining his ultra-fitness in the off-season.
Who is starting on time?
The Bulldogs finished the season without any long-term injury concerns, so most of the playing list should be fit and healthy when training officially begins.
Who was in for surgery?
To be advised
New faces
Rory Lobb and Liam Jones have both been at the Kennel, spending some time in the gym. Jones returns to familiar surroundings having being drafted by the Western Bulldogs in 2008.
More Coverage
Originally published as Ultimate pre-season guide: Where all 18 clubs are placed, who’s back and delayed starts
‘Up to 10’ AFL stars facing suspensions
Several players have been offered suspensions as an AFL probe continues over alleged “inappropriate behaviour” at a post-season event.
‘Under par’: Inside the twists and turns of the Houston bombshell
Dan Houston got his wish to be a Magpie, but it certainly wasn’t that simple, as the story that has dominated the trade period threatened to go off the rails. So how did they get it done?