Ultimate AFL pre-season guide as clubs return to training

Pre-season is here, with some clubs already getting back into the action, but some of the AFL’s biggest names won’t be there at the starting point. Check out our ultimate pre-season guide.

It is already back to school at just under half of the AFL’s clubs, as first to for year players make their way back for pre-season on Monday.

The collective bargaining agreement between the players and the league allows non-finalists to bring young players back on November 13, with older players due back a week later.

Lengthy VFL campaigns mean the Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast will return later than other non-finalists, while Adelaide has chosen to bring the whole squad back on the same day.

Most clubs expect senior players to arrive early anyway, with much of the leagues best in the gym and running through their own sessions recently.

At Hawthorn, spearhead Mitch Lewis (foot) and running machine Changkouth Jiath (achilles/calf) will be managed through the early stages of pre-season before ramping up fitness.

Goalkicker Jack Stringer is due to be back running from the start of his pre-season after foot surgery in the back end of Essendon’s campaign.

Geelong ruck Toby Conway will be missing from the start of pre-season on Monday after recent foot surgery.

Check out where every club is at as the hard work begins again.

ADELAIDE

RETURN DATES

All players back November 20

WHO IS FIT?

The Bali Geckos had two impressive recruits with goalsneaks Josh Rachele and Izak Rankine joining Brayden Cook in having a run around with the Indonesian club under the watchful eye of former Bomber Rick Olarenshaw.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

Jordon Butts has begun running and moving around after copping a fractured foot in August. The defender was expected to be back for a full pre-season after having a metatarsal fixed in his foot.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

A number of Crows ended the season on the back foot, with Harry Schoenberg (Achilles) and Elliott Himmelberg (hamstring) going under the knife post-season. Himmelberg is expected to be back to full training after Christmas, after a failed attempt to be traded to GWS. Nick Murray (ACL), Chayce Jones (foot) and Zac Taylor (foot) are all on the way back from lengthy injuries.

NEW FACES

Chris Burgess has joined the Crows from Gold Coast and is expected to train more in defence after playing predominantly up forward for the Suns.

BRISBANE LIONS

RETURN DATES

First to four year players – November 27

Others – December 4

WHO IS FIT?

Jarrod Berry has gone to lengths few others have in the off-season, training to run a marathon in support of Breast Cancer Network Australia, in honour of his late mother Jedda.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale went off for hernia surgery in October but should be back running in time for his pre-season to start and has been already seen in the club as he gets set for another big campaign.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

Rising midfield star Will Ashcroft has begun running after his mid-year ACL injury but he has already begun running and is committed to getting back mid-season.

NEW FACES

Free agency signing Tom Doedee will have to impress his teammates from the gym as he nurses his torn ACL. The Lions were well aware when they signed the ex-Crow that he wouldn’t play football until mid-2024. Former Hawk Brandon Ryan will also be out to impress.

CARLTON

RETURN DATES

First to four year players – November 27

Others – December 4

WHO IS FIT?

No surprises here – Sam Walsh was near the front of the pack of a running session recently at Ikon Park, while Zac Williams will ease his way into training but has been upping his running after tearing his ACL last pre-season.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

Corey Durdin will begin pre-season working on skills training after shoulder surgery. He is hoping to be at full fitness by January.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

A host of Blues will be nursing their way back into fitness, led by Sam Docherty, who had foot surgery after the finals campaign but avoided a clean up of his shoulder. Alex Mirkov (heart surgery) will slowly build up fitness.

NEW FACES

Orazio Fantasia will have plenty to prove at his third club and he is entering Ikon Park fit and ready to go for pre-season. Former Sun Elijah Hollands will also have plenty to prove after a court appearance this month.

COLLINGWOOD

RETURN DATES

First to four year players – November 27

Others – December 4

WHO IS FIT?

A number of Pies players have been back at Olympic Park pounding away over the off-season, including Isaac Quaynor and Jack Crisp to shake off any premiership hangover.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

Forward Dan McStay is due to be back up and running as the pre-season starts, as he recovers from the medial strain that ended his premiership dreams. McStay was expected to be 6-8 weeks from running at the time of the injury.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

The Pies had a remarkably clean bill of health after the premiership with few niggles to worry about during celebrations.

NEW FACES

Fresh off a holiday in Kenya, Lachie Schultz will get his first taste of Collingwood life when he checks in for his first pre-season with the club after being traded from Fremantle.

ESSENDON

RETURN DATES

First-to-four year players – November 13

Others – November 20

WHO IS FIT?

Who isn’t fit at Essendon? Any player that returns out of shape will faith the wrath of Brad Scott after he made some pointed remarks at the end of last season, and vice-captain Andy McGrath has helped organise some fitness camps in the United States to make sure the Dons are ready to go. Some of those in Arizona will be toiling away even next week when the young players at the Bombers return to the Hangar.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

Explosive forward Jake Stringer went for plantar fascia surgery in August but will be running when his pre-season begins. Tex Wanganeen also had foot surgery in the back end of the season and is a little further away, as he looks to start running in late December.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

Midfielder Dylan Shiel had foot surgery in October after a year hit by soreness. He is expected to be back to full fitness by Christmas. Ruck Sam Draper also went under the knife, on his groin, and is planning to be back with the main group by January.

NEW FACES

All eyes will be on Ben McKay, Jade Gresham and Xavier Duursma as they aim to make a big impact after landing at Essendon in the off-season. Senior pro Todd Goldstein is a renowned trainer and will also look to make a mark after crossing from North Melbourne.

FREMANTLE

RETURN DATES

First to four year players - November 13

Others - November 27

WHO IS FIT?

Veteran Jaeger O’Meara and buzzy forward Sam Switkowski have been spending plenty of time around the club gym in recent weeks even through they are not due back officially until November 27.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

Heath Chapman is due back with the first to four year players on Monday after he dislocated his shoulder in August and will likely be with the young cohort as they go on a community camp to West Australian towns Albany and Denmark.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

Ruck Sean Darcy is one of a number of players who jetted off to the United States with coach Justin Longmuir on a study trip and is unlikely to be back into full training to start pre-season after ankle surgery in August. Brandon Walker (knee) is still a fair way off and not running yet. Sebit Kuek remains on gym work to build up strength in his knee after a reconstruction this year. Josh Corbett (hip) will miss the entire 2024 season and is due to have surgery in late November.

NEW FACES

Former Demon and Blue tall defender Oscar McDonald has been Fremantle’s only acquisition so far this off-season.

GEELONG

RETURN DATES

First to four year players – November 13

Others – November 20

WHO IS FIT?

As has become custom, Irish players Mark O’Connor and Oisin Mullin were given permission to return home and play Gaelic football through the off-season. Mullin returned to the club last week and has locked in a contract extension.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

All of Geelong’s youngsters will be back for day one of pre-season except ruck Toby Conway. The young tall has had numerous injury issues in the past couple of years and had recent foot surgery, leaving him to work his way into pre-season.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

A number of senior Cats were sent off for surgery as the season wound down. Mark Blicavs (shoulder), Gary Rohan (ankle) and Jeremy Cameron (shoulder) were among them. Cameron has been back lifting weights at the club ahead of pre-season so appears back to strength in the upper body.

NEW FACES

For the first time in a long time, the Cats have no new players picked up from the trade period. Some old faces have returned though, with former Cats players James Rahilly (Adelaide) and Steven King (Gold Coast) joining Chris Scott’s coaching staff.

GOLD COAST

RETURN DATES

First to four year players - November 27

Others - December 4

WHO IS FIT?

Defender Sam Collins finished a very respectable 25th in the Noosa Triathlon earlier this month as he rounded into excellent physical shape.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

Nick Holman missed the final round of the season with a knee injury but should be fit to get into training from the start.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

Tom Berry had shoulder surgery when the Suns finished their season but was expected to be fit to start pre-season. Runner Lachie Weller remains away from the main group but is progressing well after knee surgery.

NEW FACES

The most important new face by some way will be new coach Damien Hardwick and the standards he will introduce to his first pre-season on the Gold Coast.

GWS GIANTS

RETURN DATES

First to four year players - November 27th

Others - 4th

WHO IS FIT?

Forward Callum Brown wasted no time getting into shape after the preliminary final, as the was spotted in the club gym the next week. Brown also trained with the Giants AFLW side to build on his considerable athleticism. Isaac Summing and Nick Haynes have also bee in the club regularly, while Braydon Preuss has been shifting tin as well.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

Both Darcy Jones and Adam Kennedy are on the way back from serious knee injuries and the pair were already running by the end of the season so will pick up the pace as pre-season kicks in.

WHO HAD SURGERY?

No Giants were booked in for surgery after the remarkable finals run.

NEW FACES

For the first time in club history, the Giants were not involved in a trade over the off-season. And GWS didn’t make any free agency moves either.

HAWTHORN

RETURN DATES

First to four year players – November 13

Others – November 27

WHO IS FIT?

Tagging master Finn Maginness wowed Instagram by returning in peak shape for some topless running at the Waverley last week as he looks to build on a successful 2023 campaign. Josh Ward is another Hawk who has shrugged off past injury history and is ready for a big summer.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

Both Mitch Lewis and Changkouth Jiath are running again but will be eased into pre-season. Lewis missed time at the end of the season due to a foot sprain but didn’t require surgery, while Jiath had a troublesome 2023 with wobbly calf and Achilles issues. The pair will be managed through the early stages of pre-season.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

The recovery of Chad Wingard – assuming all goes well in the plan for him to be redrafted by the club after he was delisted last week – will be a close watch throughout the first half of 2024. Wingard ruptured his Achilles in August so will not play for the opening few months of next season.

NEW FACES

Former Bomber Massimo D’Ambrosio will be at Waverly for day one of pre-season while Jack Ginnivan is not due back until next week given he played through the finals series with Collingwood. The goalsneak could still make an early appearance, while returning flag-winner Jack Gunston will be given freedom to work away on his own pre-season program and Mabior Chol isn’t needed back until November 27.

MELBOURNE

RETURN DATES

First to four year players - November 27

Others - December 4

WHO IS FIT?

Followers on social media would have seen midfield dynamo Christian Petracca was recently in Austria powering through a Red Bull fitness camp.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

All eyes will be on what level Clayton Oliver is involved and his fitness standards after a tumultuous off-season. Swingman Harrison Petty will likely take some time to get into action after his late-season foot injury.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

Jake Melksham, who is currently not on the list but the club has committed to taking in the rookie draft, will be nursing his torn ACL through the early months of 2024. Joel Smith is also suspended as he awaits a finish to his drug ban.

NEW FACES

Tom Fullarton has come down from Brisbane, Jack Billings from St Kilda and the Dees have high hopes for the impact Shane McAdam can make coming from Adelaide. McAdam had surgery on his cheekbone late in the season but is expected to be right to go for a full pre-season.

NORTH MELBOURNE

RETURN DATES

First to four year players – November 13

Others – November 20

WHO IS FIT?

A strong contingent of Roos have been regularly in at Arden Street over the off-season, with the likes of Will Phillips, Bailey Scott, Harry Sheezel, Josh Goater, Tarryn Thomas and recruits Toby Pink, Dylan Stephens and Bigoa Nyuon all at the club on Friday. Young midfield gun George Wardlaw has shrugged off a 2023 campaign that was hindered by injury and is fully fit to start pre-season.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

Injuries hit youngster George Wardlaw last year but he is set to be right to go to start pre-season. Ruck Hamish Free (shoulder), Cooper Harvey (shoulder) and Cam Zurhaar (ankle) will all be on modified programs to start the summer. Arden Street Oval is starting on time for pre-season but the Roos will be forced off during December and January for works on the surface, with North Melbourne to train at La Trobe University in Bundoora.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

The bad news over the off-season was elbow surgery for youngster Brayden George, while Luke McDonald remains in rehab nursing a serious hamstring tweak. Griffin Logue will miss much of the 2024 season due to an ACL injury. Charlie Comben (ankle) also had minor ankle surgery.

NEW FACES

Zac Fisher also joined the club from Carlton, while Stephens, Pink and Nyuon will all be out to win a spot in the side ahead of round 1.

PORT ADELAIDE

RETURN DATES

First to four year players – November 27

Others – December 3

WHO IS FIT?

Travis Boak’s dig about Jason Horne-Francis enjoying an ice bath was some rare down time for the pair amid a gruelling time at a Red Bull fitness base in California recently.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

Defender Tom Clurey (back) and forward Mitch Georgiades (knee) were both running before the end of the season so should be ramping up as players get into action. Josh Sinn has also shrugged off a late-season hamstring.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

A large number of Power players went under the knife after the season, including Ryan Burton (knee), Darcy Byrne-Jones (knee), Todd Marshall (hip), Jeremy Finlayson (knee), Trent McKenzie (ankle) and Tom McCallum (ankle). Most of those players are expected to be eased into training and ramp up as December wears on.

NEW FACES

A bunch of new names will hit Alberton, with Esava Ratugolea, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Jordon Sweet and Ivan Soldo all secured over the trade period and raring to impress Ken Hinkley.

RICHMOND

RETURN DATES

First to four year players – November 13

Others – November 27

WHO IS FIT?

Superstar Dustin Martin was spotted powering through laps of Punt Road Oval recently as he gets set for his 15th AFL season.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

A cracked scapula ended youngster Judson Clarke’s 2023 season back in August, but Clarke didn’t need surgery and should be part of pre-season. The watch remains on Josh Gibcus, who is still a question mark as he aims to get past hamstring woes.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

Spearhead Tom Lynch had surgery all the way back in April but still won’t be part of the main group to start pre-season as he nurses his sore foot. The full-forward does expect to be fit well and truly before round 1.

NEW FACES

Ruck Sam Naismith will be out to earn a round 1 spot after being signed out of the VFL, while Jacob Koschitzke has the chance to claim Jack Riewoldt’s spot in the forward line.

ST KILDA

RETURN DATES

First to four year players - November 27

Others - December 4

WHO IS FIT?

A number of Saints have been regularly spotted churning through laps at Moorabbin, with Max King and Mason Wood among them.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

Thinks are looking good for Wood after off-season shoulder surgery, while King also went under the knife after nursing a sore shoulder through the closing stages of the season.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

Alongside King and Wood, Brad Crouch (knee), Jack Steele (knee), James Van Es (ankle), Dougal Howard (finger) and Dan Butler (ankle) all had procedures. The Saints don’t expect any of the group to be too far away from full training.

NEW FACES

Liam Henry and Paddy Dow both have big pre-seasons ahead to try and lock in a spot for round 1, with Dow looking at a chance to finally secure regular midfield minutes after being in and out of the side at Carlton.

SYDNEY

RETURN DATES

First to four year players - November 27

Others - December 4

WHO IS FIT?

As with many clubs, a lot of the Swans senior core has been getting stuck into the gym in recent weeks before the official restart.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

Likely on his last chance, veteran forward Sam Reid will enter pre-season fully fit. Injuries have followed the premiership forward for well over a decade but he will get another chance to stake a claim for forward minutes.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

Swans key figures are still shaking their heads about Callum Mills copping a long-term shoulder injury, with the co-captain to be sidelined well into the season.

NEW FACES

Plenty of new looks for the Swans this summer, with Brodie Grundy and Taylor Adams headlining the club’s acquisitions. Joel Hamling has crossed over from Fremantle and James Jordon will add some spark from the midfield.

WEST COAST

RETURN DATES

First to four year players – November 13

Others – November 20

WHO IS FIT?

A heap of Eagles were out running as new fitness boss Matt Inness checked out the club last week, with the club enjoying a reasonably clean bill of health – a rare result in past years.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

Key forward Oscar Allen was expected to enjoy a full pre-season after having off-season surgery on his shoulder and his knee. The spearhead was one of several Eagles running laps last week.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

The only major injury at the Eagles at the moment is youngster Jai Culley, who is continuing to go through rehab on the ACL he ruptured in May.

NEW FACES

Tyler Brockman has hit the ground running, powering through some early sessions as he prepares for his first year at the club after being traded in from Hawthorn.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

RETURN DATES

First to four years: November 20

Others: November 27

WHO IS FIT?

Tom Liberatore has been working hard, as has upstart defender James O’Donnell. Never far away from the cameras, Bailey Smith’s every move has been watched this off-season and he has been seen several times pounding away through running sessions.

WHO IS STARTING ON TIME?

After a number of setbacks in his first couple of years of senior footy, young tall Sam Darcy has been a fixture in at Whitten Oval through the off-season and didn’t take a trip away. The beanpole had to deal with a hole in his lung and a broken jaw last season.

WHO WAS IN FOR SURGERY?

Skipper Marcus Bontempelli started his book tour on the wrong ankle, revealing swelling had forced him in for a minor surgery. The superstar should not be far off getting into full training.

NEW FACES

Former Dee James Harmes will tackle his first pre-season at his second club and Nick Coffield has crossed over from St Kilda. Touted as a potential steal of the draft, Coffield struggled to get on the park in recent years, battling through an ACL tear and a lingering calf issue.