AFL hurt locker: Every club’s injury list heading into 2025 season
With just three weeks until Opening Round, how long is your club’s injury list? Check out who is fit, who’s not and when they will return.
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Practice matches are around the corner and AFL players from around the competition are racing the clock to prove their fitness.
Some clubs look in great shape to start the season, while others aren’t so lucky.
We run the rule over the league’s injury list below.
ADELAIDE
Kieran Strachan: (stress fracture in foot) – The Crows back-up ruckman had surgery on a stress fracture in his foot in December. He has started running recently but is set to still miss the start of the season. TBC
Taylor Walker (back) – Adelaide has been managing its talisman as he deals with a back issue. The veteran took part in match sim for the Crows last week and moved well. AVAILABLE
Isaac Cumming (hamstring) – Suffered a hamstring injury prior to Christmas but the recruit from GWS is back in training. The Crows have said they do need to manage him at times. AVAILABLE
Wayne Milera (knee) – Suffered a patella tendon injury last year but is not missing a beat this pre-season and is looking good. AVAILABLE
— Simeon Thomas-Wilson
BRISBANE
Lachie Neale (foot) – Played a half in last Friday’s intra club and covered the ground well. Looks to be in the final stages of his rehab from the plantar fasciitis. AVAILABLE
Oscar Mcinerney (shoulder) – Club is hopeful its No.1 ruck will be fit to feature in this week’s match sim. Will know more about his practice match availability after this week. 1 WEEK
Brandon Starcevich (quad) – Expected to return to full training this week. Ran copious laps at training last week and looks fit as a fiddle. 1 WEEK
Hugh McCluggage (ankle) – The vice-captain has been on a modified program but is close to full fitness and likely to feature against Gold Coast and Collingwood. 1 WEEK
Shadeau Brain (shoulder) – On the cusp of a return to full training load and could play in the Feb 20 practice matches. 1 WEEK
Levi Ashcroft (shoulder) – It’s almost time for the No.5 pick to be unleashed. Likely won’t feature in match sim this week but should be good to go for the Feb 20 matches against Gold Coast and Collingwood. 1 WEEK
Eric Hipwood (groin) – The groin that gave him grief at the end of last season has hampered Hipwood’s pre-season but he is close to full fitness and expected to feature in the Community Series match against Adelaide on Feb 27. 2-3 WEEKS
Henry Smith (shoulder) – Club expects the ruck-forward to be available for the Feb 27 match against Adelaide. 2-3 WEEKS
Keidean Coleman (knee) – Suffered a setback in his ACL recovery with some swelling in his knee and has been told to stop running until it settles. Almost certainly out of the frame for Opening Round now with no timeline on his return. TBC
Lincoln McCarthy (knee) – Almost back to a full training load and club is hopeful he could even be in the selection frame for Opening Round. 3-4 WEEKS
Darcy Gardiner (knee) – Like McCarthy, who injured his ACL in the same game against Gold Coast last year, is on track to be fit in time for Opening Round. 3-4 WEEKS
Tom Doedee (knee) – Club is hopeful the intercept defender will be available for selection in early April. 6-8 WEEKS
— Callum Dick
CARLTON
Blake Acres (back) – Underwent surgery on a bulging disc in October and returned to full training last month after a modified pre-Christmas program. AVAILABLE
Adam Cerra (hamstring) – Has enjoyed a largely uninterrupted pre-season following his nightmare run of soft tissue injuries. Missed last week’s match sim due to his wedding, but should play against St Kilda and GWS before round 1. AVAILABLE
Matt Cottrell (shoulder) – A foot fracture followed by a shoulder fracture disrupted Cottrell’s momentum after a superb 2023, but he returned to full training in January. AVAILABLE
Alex Cincotta (hip) – Unlikely to return to full training until at least April after surgery to “correct a hip issue” which had kept him off the track in December. 8-12 WEEKS
Charlie Curnow (knee/ankle) – The star forward missed the Blues’ Sunshine Coast training camp before Christmas as he stayed back for a clean-up procedure on his knee. Had an issue with the troublesome knee at Saturday’s training session, but scans revealed no damage and the Blues are adamant he will play round 1. TEST
Corey Durdin (shoulder) – The 22-year-old suffered a shoulder injury in the VFL late last season which required surgery, but returned to full training in January. AVAILABLE
Nic Newman (patella) – Blues have not shut the door on Newman returning at the end of the season as they keep him off the long-term injury list, but his hopes are slim. SEASON
Jack Silvagni (knee) – Has been involved in match simulation after recovering from the pre-season ACL injury he suffered last year. Expect to play a practice match in defence. AVAILABLE
Sam Walsh (hamstring) – Yet to return to main training after a hamstring strain in January, but the star midfielder is expected to be fit for round 1 and the Blues hope he will play a practice match. More likely for the second game against GWS on February 28. TEST
— Ed Bourke
COLLINGWOOD
Brayden Maynard (foot) – Revealed this week he has been battling through plantar fasciitis but has kept training. AVAILABLE
Tom Mitchell (foot) – Still yet to lock in a timeline as the onballer cautiously builds up running after a foot flare up before Christmas. TBC
Jordan De Goey (knee) – Bone bruising in his knee was the latest setback for De Goey recently after persistent groin and adductor woes. TBC
Harvey Harrison (knee) – Has been running on his return from an ACL but is still months away. TBC
Nick Daicos (foot) – Like Maynard, had a foot issue but appears well past it now and has been cherry ripe on the track in recent weeks. AVAILABLE
— Josh Barnes
ESSENDON
Sam Durham (ribs) – Was part of a heavy collision at training a fortnight ago with the club erring on the side of caution. Unlikely to face the Dogs this week. 2 WEEKS
Darcy Parish (back) – Has been battling back stiffness since December and is in doubt to play in Opening Round. 3-4 WEEKS
Harrison Jones (ankle) – Will train this week after a recent scare and if he gets through, could play this week but should play against Geelong in another fortnight. 1-2 WEEKS
Jordan Ridley (hamstring) – Suffered a minor hamstring strain in late January and won’t play this weekend, with a firm timeline on his return yet to be confirmed. TBC
Ben McKay (ankle) – Has all but returned to full training after recent cleanout surgery on a niggling ankle complaint. Has made his way back to ball drills but is unlikely to play this weekend. 2 WEEKS
Jye Caldwell (hip) – Recently returned to full training and will be right to go after having hip surgery late last year. AVAILABLE
Matt Guelfi (hamstring) – Suffered a significant hamstring injury that needed surgery after only just enduring a long rehab on a similar injury. 10-12 WEEKS
Archer Day-Wicks (toe) – Continues in his recovery from a toe injury. TBC
Jayden Nguyen (knee) – Working his way back after a meniscus injury. TBC
Alwyn Davey Jr (knee) – Like Nguyen, has suffered a meniscus injury in January that required surgery and is considered unlikely to play in Opening Round. 4 WEEKS
Zak Johnson (shoulder) – Slowly working back after post-season shoulder surgery that has seen him limited to non-contact drills. TBC
— Lauren Wood
FREMANTLE
Sean Darcy (ankle) – Recently travelled to the Aspetar Sports Clinic in Doha to continue his knee rehab but unexpected ankle surgery has put a dampener on his round one chances. TBC
Alex Pearce (ankle) – Tweaked his ankle for the second time in a week during Fremantle’s intraclub on Friday and will miss the All Stars clash. Will be reassessed for remaining practice matches. 1-2 WEEKS
Shai Bolton (calf) – Will be a test to play in the All Stars game as he battles a minor calf strain. TEST
Michael Walters (knee) – Has been in the rehab group following an arthroscope over Christmas but is set to captain the All Stars on Saturday. AVAILABLE
Nat Fyfe (knee) – Not yet back in main training after undergoing minor knee surgery in January and is racing the clock to be fit for round one. TBC
Hayden Young (hamstring) – Will miss the All Stars game as he recovers from a low-grade hamstring strain. 1-2 WEEKS
— Eliza Reilly
GEELONG
Toby Conway (back) – The injury-riddled ruck faces a delayed start to the season with a back concern that has sidelined him for the majority of the pre-season, but he is slowly building. Conway is yet to take part in match simulation and the Cats will continue to take a cautious approach given his history. TBC
Cam Guthrie (Achilles) – Guthrie’s brother Zach said in January that Cam planned to play the practice games and opening round but, like Conway, he is set to be sidelined early in the year. His timeline remains unclear with his troublesome achilles blow. TBC
Shaun Mannagh (foot) – The breakout forward is another Cat facing a delayed start to 2025. His preparation has been limited over the pre-season as he deals with foot soreness. TBC
Jack Martin (management) – Martin’s opening round chances will become clearer in the next fortnight but the Cats will look to manage him early on in the season due to his soft tissue concerns. The new recruit has shown positive signs in a modified program over summer. TBC
Xavier Ivisic (ankle) – The Geelong local picked up an ankle injury last week and is set to be sidelined for at least the next month. 6 WEEKS
— Dan Batten
GOLD COAST
Sam Flanders (back) – The star midfielder is battling a back issue that has kept him off the track for the past two weeks. Looks in doubt for Opening Round at this stage. TBC
Touk Miller (knee) – Was sent for scans on Friday after sitting out training. Club says no serious structural damage but will be put on a modified training program this week. 1-2 WEEKS
Daniel Rioli (knee) – Return from MCL injury is ahead of schedule and is now expected to play the February 20 practice matches. Joined in full ground drills last week and was flying. AVAILABLE
Will Graham (hamstring) – Just about back to full fitness. Played a half of match sim last week and kicked a goal from beyond 50m. AVAILABLE
— Callum Dick
GWS GIANTS
Ryan Angwin (ankle) – Suffered an ankle injury during the Giants’ most recent match simulation. Isn’t expected to be long term but is currently getting around on crutches. 6 WEEKS
Josh Fahey (foot) – Is managing a stress fracture in his foot suffered during pre-season and will likely miss the opening weeks of the season, if not more. 4+ WEEKS
Stephen Coniglio (shoulder/face) – Had two successful off-season surgeries and has recovered well. Should be in contention for the Giants’ opening clash against Collingwood. 1-2 WEEKS
Toby Bedford (quad) – Has returned to full training after being managed over the summer. Should be ready to go against the Pies despite missing the All-Stars clash. AVAILABLE
— Lachlan McKirdy
HAWTHORN
Calsher Dear (back) – Has been ruled out for at least the first month of the season as he continues to battle bone stress in his back. The issue has troubled him throughout the summer and another recent scan indicated it remains an issue. He will be sidelined until at least Gather Round in April but potentially longer, with his training load to be increased as his recovery hopefully progresses. 8 WEEKS+
Mitch Lewis (knee) – Travelled to Philadelphia as he continues rehab from an ACL injury and even took in the Super Bowl on Monday, no less. 16 WEEKS+
James Blanck (knee) – Joined Lewis on the US trip where the pair have worked with knee specialists in their bid to return after missing the entirety of 2024. Trained this week with a mid-season return to playing flagged. 12 WEEKS+
Sam Frost (foot) – Continues to build conditioning after suffering a foot injury at the end of last season. A return remains unknown. TBC
James Sicily (shoulder) – Has returned to full training after off-season surgery. Should feature in upcoming practice matches. AVAILABLE
Will Day (collarbone) – Another Hawk who went under the knife over the summer but should be back for the team’s competitive hitouts in coming weeks. AVAILABLE
Jai Newcombe (leg) – Suffered a corked leg in a recent hitout on a training camp. TBC
Connor Macdonald (ankle) – Copped the ankle injury during a recent pre-season training camp but is expected to be available for practice matches in coming weeks. AVAILABLE
— Lauren Wood
MELBOURNE
Judd McVee (hamstring) – Hurt his hamstring badly at training on Wednesday. Scans will reveal full extent of damage. TBC
Christian Petracca (rib) – The star ballwinner cracked a rib at training in January as he continues to plot his path back to football following last year’s serious internal injuries. Is expected to return to full contact training this week or next. TBC
Caleb Windsor (infection) – Missed recent training with a skin infection in his foot and is due to return to training next week. TEST
Jack Viney (ribs) – Missed training this week due to rib cartilage issues. Will ramp up training again next week. TEST
Jake Melksham (hamstring) – Went through a strong running session on Wednesday as he deals with his hamstring. 3-4 WEEKS
Koltyn Tholstrup (bone stress) – The forward suffered a significant blow earlier this month, sidelined with what the club called “early signs” of bone stress. 12 WEEKS
Luker Kentfield (illness) – Was hospitalised for pneumonia over the Christmas break and suffered complications that followed, and won’t be fully back at the club for another few weeks. TBC
Kade Chandler (shoulder) – Completed light drills in the rehab group at training last week as his time on a modified training program continues. Took part in match sim on Wednesday. AVAILABLE
Tom Fullarton (hamstring) – Trained away from the main group last week and earlier this week as he continues to manage hamstring trouble that was sustained a few weeks ago. TBC
Max Gawn (throat) – Returned to full training a fortnight ago after suffering a freak larynx injury in December. Was sidelined for six weeks but is back in business. AVAILABLE
Jake Lever (shoulder, knee) – Had surgery on both his shoulder and his knee over the off-season but is tracking well. AVAILABLE
Charlie Spargo (Achilles) – Trained with the rehab group on Monday as he continues to work his way back. Was restricted to laps last week. TBC
Xavier Lindsay (knee) – Back in full training through the midfield in recent weeks. AVAILABLE
— Lauren Wood
NORTH MELBOURNE
Josh Goater (hamstring) – was cleared of damage after a scare at training last week but is being carefully managed for now. AVAILABLE
Zac Fisher (hamstring) – has been on light duties after a minor hamstring issue last week. TBC
George Wardlaw (hamstring) – has resumed some running but is set to be sidelined for at least the first month of the season after suffering a high-grade hamstring injury in late January. 8-10 WEEKS
Brayden George (knee) – beginning to step up his training as he looks towards an early-season return. 3-4 WEEKS
Callum Coleman-Jones (Achilles) – expected to return in May or June, having been sidelined since last March. 3-4 MONTHS
— Chris Cavanagh
PORT ADELAIDE
Todd Marshall (Ruptured Achilles tendon) – Went down with a ruptured Achilles tendon in training last month. Last week he had his stitches out after surgery and is now in a moonboot. TBC
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Acute lumbar disc injury) – Scans revealed the key defender had suffered a back injury last week and he is expected to miss the start of the season. TBC
Esava Ratugolea (Pinched medial meniscus) Hurt his knee at training this week and underwent scans. Has avoided an ACL injury, but will seek a specialist’s opinion regarding a return to play timeline. TBC
Lachie Jones (Adductor) – Has been training by himself as he deals with an adductor issue. But is expected to come back into main training next week. AVAILABLE
Willem Drew (Foot) Is running again and likely to be back in full training next week after foot surgery. 1-2 WEEKS
Dante Visentini (Knee) – Had knee surgery and has been ramping up his return in training recently. 1 WEEK
Sam Powell-Pepper (Knee) – Back in full contact training after his season-ending ACL injury last year. AVAILABLE
Ivan Soldo (Knee) – Was dealing with a knee issue but has ramped up match play minutes in recent weeks. AVAILABLE
Kane Farrell (Hamstring) – Back into full match-play after surgery on his hamstring following his big injury at the end of last season. AVAILABLE
Joe Berry (Eye) – Copped a poke to the eye and had to be in non-contact training but is set to be back in full training this week as he pushes for a Round 1 debut. AVAILABLE
— Simeon Thomas-Wilson
RICHMOND
Josh Smillie (hamstring) – The No.7 draft pick had a minor hamstring twinge last month but is planning on playing some minutes in Richmond’s community series clash with Collingwood. 1-2 WEEKS
Jasper Alger (knee) – Had serious fears about his knee after a training mishap but it was a minor hyperextension. Should play some practice game minutes. TEST
Tom Lynch (concussion) – Moving through the concussion protocols so if he doesn’t play match sim, he will play community series. TEST
Dion Prestia (management) – Injury prone veteran has been taking it easy at times this summer but is good to go. AVAILABLE
Jonty Faull (back) – Draftee came to Punt Rd with a back concern and hasn’t played intraclub match sim minutes yet so is unlikely to face West Coast. 2-3 WEEKS
Judson Clarke (knee) – The furthest along of the Tiger ACL five, Clarke is aiming to get into full contact by the end of February so he is hopeful of playing early in the season. TBC
Tylar Young (knee) – Has begun some high-speed running with an aim of being back mid-season. TBC
Josh Gibcus (knee) – Don’t expect to see the important young defender in the first month of the season. TBC
Mykelti Lefau (knee) – The breakout forward went down with his knee in May so a 12 month return would be from round 8. TBC
Taj Hotton (knee) – Another Tiger aiming for a mid-season return. TBC
— Josh Barnes
ST KILDA
Max King (knee) – scans showed no major damage after a scare at training last week, with King pushing to feature in both of the club’s pre-season matches. AVAILABLE
Jack Sinclair (hamstring) – suffered a strain at training last week but is expected to be available for round 1. 4 WEEKS
Mason Wood (quad) – suffered a strain at training last week but is a good chance of being available for round 1. 2-3 WEEKS
Rowan Marshall (pelvis) – has been on light duties but is still hopeful of playing round 1. 3-4 WEEKS
Liam Henry (knee) – closing in on a return to main training after surgery last year, which will mean a delayed start to the season. 6 WEEKS
Mattaes Phillipou (leg) – set to miss the early rounds of the season after developing a stress fracture in his femur. 9-10 WEEKS
Dougal Howard (shoulder) – will miss at least first month of the season after shoulder surgery in early February. 11-12 WEEKS
Alix Tauru (back) – is back running but continues to be managed after a stress fracture which has hampered his off-season. 7-9 WEEKS
Paddy Dow (knee) – will have a delayed start to the season as he builds his loads after a major infection. TBC
— Chris Cavanagh
SYDNEY SWANS
Jesse Dattoli (back) – After suffering a lumbar stress reaction, Dattoli is back in gym-based reconditioning and has commenced running again at training. Still not expected to return until April at the earliest. 8-10 WEEKS
Logan McDonald (ankle) – Has been delayed into pre-season after taking longer to recover from ankle surgery. The forward is running strongly and kicking the ball but has yet to be integrated back into full training. 3-4 WEEKS
Jack Buller (shoulder) – Suffered a shoulder injury during a match simulation but is working his way back to full training. Running and marking strongly but unlikely to feature early in the season. 2-3 WEEKS
Hayden McLean (groin) – Lingering groin pain from last season now looks to be behind McLean and he’s back in team training. Will have a first major hit-out in Friday’s intra-club match simulation. 1-2 WEEKS
Will Edwards (leg) – Had complications with a leg fracture from last year but now is returning to skills training. Still a few weeks away from full team training. 2-3 WEEKS
Jake Lloyd (foot) – Has some bone bruising on his foot after a training incident. Isn’t expected to miss any of the season but is slowly being managed at training. 1-2 WEEKS
Callum Mills (hamstring) – Soft tissue issues look to be behind him, with the Sydney captain spending extra time in running drills during training to get his workload up to speed after missing the majority of 2024. AVAILABLE
— Lachlan McKirdy
WEST COAST
Elliot Yeo (ankle/knee) – Eyeing a return in the first month of the season after successful syndesmosis surgery. 6-8 WEEKS
Dom Sheed (ACL) – Out for the season after undergoing a knee reconstruction. SEASON
Jake Waterman (back) – Was out of action for a week with back soreness but returned to the main group on Monday, albeit non-contact. AVAILABLE
Harley Reid (ankle) – His stop-start pre-season continued after sitting out last week with ankle soreness but he was the first on the training track on Monday. AVAILABLE
Harry Barnett (eye) – Walked laps on Monday and will be on light duties this week.
Rhett Bazzo (foot) – Had surgery just before Christmas on a fractured bone and is gradually building up his program. TBC
Callum Jamieson (knee/ankle) – Had multiple surgeries at the end of last year but has recently increased his workload. TBC.
— Eliza Reilly
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Tim English (abdominal) – Missed the Bulldogs’ intraclub match on the Sunshine Coast after he suffered a knock at training in late January, but could face Essendon on Saturday. TEST
Jason Johannisen (hamstring) – The veteran defender missed most of last season with a hamstring tendon injury, and was sent for minor surgery after another tear in January. 7-11 WEEKS
Liam Jones (hamstring) – Suffered a high grade hamstring strain towards the end of the intraclub match in Maroochydore and will miss at least the first month of the season. 7-9 WEEKS
Aaron Naughton (calf/illness) – Placed on a modified pre-Christmas program due to the knee issue he carried through most of 2024 along with a calf strain he picked up in December. Then suffered a bout of glandular fever over Christmas, but recovered to play part of the intraclub match and should feature against Essendon on Saturday. TEST
Anthony Scott (knee) Racing the clock to be fit for round 1 after suffering a partially dislocated knee during a match sim in mid-January. Won’t face the Bombers. 2-4 WEEKS
Adam Treloar (calf) – Another set to miss the first month of the season with an acute strain in his calf following a series of calf issues in the latter part of 2024. Dogs will be conservative with the 31-year-old to ensure he breaks the injury pattern. 7-9 WEEKS
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (personal) – Has rarely trained with the Bulldogs this summer due to a personal issue but has at times posted to social media working out in a private gym. Trained with their VFL side at Whitten Oval while the AFL team was in Queensland, but even playing in the VFL practice match after Saturday’s main game was ruled out by the Dogs. TBC
Cody Weightman (knee) – Weightman, who battled a groin issue and a painful elbow injury last season, has been gradually building on a modified program as he deals with a sore knee. Played only a quarter in Queensland but set to ramp up against Essendon and Hawthorn ahead of round 1. TEST
— Ed Bourke
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