We’ve officially hit that point of the preseason where attention shifts to opening round, what each side might actually look like when the real stuff begins. And over the past couple of weeks, a few lists have started to look slightly… less than ideal.
With rehab timelines tightening and practice matches looming, here’s your quick “at a glance” injury snapshot for every AFL club heading into the season.
ADELAIDE
Mark Keane – Sustained a serious leg fracture during a recent match simulation. He is expected to miss significant time, with a return likely in the latter half of the season. Fortunately, Adelaide currently has strong depth in key defensive positions.
Sid Draper – Managing ongoing groin concerns and will continue to be assessed as the preseason progresses.
Daniel Curtin – Dislocated his kneecap during a wrestling drill and is expected to miss approximately two months, ETA is round 7-8.
Izak Rankine – Has one match remaining to serve on suspension.
BRISBANE
Sam Draper – Suffering from stress fractures in his foot and is expected to miss roughly the first month of the season.
Eric Hipwood – Continuing his recovery from last season’s ACL injury, with a return projected in the second half of the year.
Lincoln McCarthy – Working through ACL rehabilitation and likely to miss the opening months of the season.
Tom Doedee – Managing a wrist injury but tracking toward early-season availability.
Noah Answerth – Working to regain full fitness following last year’s Achilles injury.
CARLTON
Jesse Motlop – Suffered an ACL injury during the preseason and will miss the entire 2026 season.
Blake Acres – Recovering from shoulder surgery and pushing for Round One selection.
Brodie Kemp – Rehabilitating from an Achilles injury and expected to play an important role once fully fit.
Nic Newman – Continuing his recovery from a 2025 patella injury. The club is expected to take a cautious approach with his return.
COLLINGWOOD
Bobby Hill – Currently unavailable due to personal circumstances, with the club confirming he is not part of their 2026 planning at this stage.
Darcy Moore – Recovering from a calf strain/tear and remains uncertain for Round Zero.
Jeremy Howe – Also dealing with a calf issue but progressing well in his recovery.
Reef McInnes – Working back from his 2025 ACL injury and could play a key defensive role if fully fit.
Dan McStay – Managing a hamstring injury and aiming to be available for the AAMI Series.
Beau McCreery – Underwent foot surgery in November and is likely to miss preseason matches, with Round Zero availability uncertain.
ESSENDON
Nic Martin – Underwent further surgery on his previously damaged ACL and will miss the 2026 season.
Nick Bryan – Recovering from an ACL injury sustained during Gather Round last year and expected to return after the first month of the season.
Jordan Ridley – On a modified training program following another soft-tissue issue. The club is carefully managing his workload ahead of the season.
FREMANTLE
Sean Darcy – Strained his calf during match simulations but is expected to be available for Round One.
Luke Ryan – Underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason and has recently resumed contact training.
Sam Sturt – Continuing ACL rehabilitation and targeting a mid-season return.
GEELONG
Jeremy Cameron – Continuing rehabilitation from a broken arm and will not participate in State of Origin commitments.
Toby Conway – Recovering from knee and foot injuries and may require additional conditioning before senior selection.
Tyson Stengle – Returned to the club following time away for personal reasons and is working to regain full conditioning.
GOLD COAST
Charlie Ballard – Rehabilitating from an ACL injury and expected to return in the early stages of the 2026 season.
Gold Coast currently holds one of the shortest preseason injury lists in the competition.
GWS
Josh Kelly – Underwent hip surgery initially expected to rule him out for the season, though he remains hopeful of a late return.
Darcy Jones – Recovering from an ACL injury and likely to return later in the season.
Clayton Oliver – Managing a minor calf issue, which the club has described as not serious.
HAWTHORN
James Sicily – Still restricted from contact training as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
Will Day – Dislocated his shoulder and is expected to miss the first half of the season.
Finn Maginness – Has returned to full-contact training following a kidney injury.
MELBOURNE
Jake Bowey – Expected to miss close to the first half of the season due to a foot injury.
Shane McAdam – Rehabilitating from a torn Achilles tendon, with no definitive return timeline.
Jack Viney – Set to undergo Achilles surgery and will miss several months.
Andy Moniz-Wakefield – Nearing full fitness after recovering from an ACL injury sustained early in his career.
NORTH MELBOURNE
George Wardlaw – Managing a minor hamstring issue and expected to return to full training shortly, with Round One availability likely.
Jackson Archer – Suffered an ACL injury and will miss the 2026 season.
Paul Curtis – Recovering from a pneumonia-related condition (empyema) and working toward Round One fitness.
Blake Thredgold – Facing an extended period on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury. The club has not yet provided a return timeline, with priority placed on his initial recovery phase.
PORT ADELAIDE
Ivan Soldo – Suffered an ACL injury and will miss the season.
Sam Powell-Pepper – Continuing rehabilitation following a second procedure related to his ACL recovery.
Todd Marshall – Progressing well in his return to form and training without major concerns.
RICHMOND
Josh Smillie – Yet to rejoin full training and unlikely to be available for Round One after ongoing conditioning and hamstring concerns.
Nick Vlastuin – Recovering from offseason ankle surgery and working through minor setbacks. Round One status remains uncertain.
Judson Clark – Rehabilitating from an ACL injury.
Hugo Ralphsmith – Recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in December.
Josh Gibcus – Fully fit and available.
ST KILDA
Max King – Underwent further knee surgery in December after missing 2025 and has since sustained a calf strain during his return to training.
SYDNEY
Logan McDonald – Missed 2025 with an ankle injury and will need to re-establish his position in a competitive forward line.
Callum Mills – Recovered from a pre-Christmas hamstring tear and has returned to full training.
WEST COAST
Brady Hough – Sprained his ankle in late January and will miss preseason matches but remains a chance for Round One.
Brandon Starcevich – Sustained an ACL strain and has not yet returned to full training.
Tylar Young – Continuing rehabilitation from a shoulder injury.
Elliot Yeo – Returned to full training after an injury-interrupted 2025 season.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Cody Weightman – Continuing recovery from a complex knee issue.
Ryley Sanders – Has sustained hamstring strains during the preseason and will require additional conditioning before senior selection.
Riley Garcia – Facing an extended period on the sidelines (10–12 weeks) with a significant hamstring injury.