ADELAIDE
Kieran Strachan foot surgery for a stress fracture in his right foot. Doubtful for round 1.
Back in full training –
Isaac Cumming – hamstring injury, Wayne Milera a patella tendon injury (last year). Tyler Welsh and Luke Pedlar each copped shoulder knocks in recent weeks and were out of contract training briefly.
Sid Draper is being managed through his first pre-season as a precaution.
BRISBANE
Linc McCarthy (knee) has trained strongly and is expected to be available for Opening Round, as will be Oscar McInerney (shoulder), who will increase contact in the coming week.
Levi Ashcroft is also coming off shoulder surgery and should play during the pre-season, as will Henry Smith.
Keidean Coleman, after some little setbacks is likely to be available by Gather Round, as will Tom Doedee (knee).
Darcy Gardiner (knee) has trained well and should come under selection consideration in the first few weeks of the season.
CARLTON
Charlie Curnow back into training following off-season knee and ankle surgery. Sam Walsh slowly increasing his workload this week after a hamstring issue hampered his preparations. Both should be fit for round one but uncertain on their availability for pre-season practice matches.
Nic Newman out for season after rupturing his patella in January.
Alex Cincotta unavailable for round one as he rehabs a hip issue.
Jack Silvagni got through last Friday’s match simulation session after a long-term knee injury. B
lake Acres (back), Corey Durdin (shoulder) and Matt Cottrell (shoulder) have all returned to full training across the last couple of weeks and should be fine to start the season
COLLINGWOOD
Jordan De Goey hampered after starting the pre-season treating his soft tissue concerns in Qatar. Suffered bone bruising in his knee last week.
Nick Daicos had a minor setback at the start of the year and has been managing his plantar fascia, but has returned to full training.
Josh Daicos dealt with a calf issue in January
Lachie Sullivan has just recovered from a calf injury.
Reef McInnes sidelined recently
Mason Cox who returned to America for a personal matter.
Dan McStay has returned to training.
Tom Mitchell suffered another setback in his foot in December and unknown return
Harvey Harrison is still recovering from a knee reconstruction
Dan Houston will miss the Opening Round clash against GWS due to the final game of the five-match ban he copped late last season
ESSENDON
Darcy Parish (back) and Sam Durham (ribs) are both likely to miss the Bombers’ match simulation against the Western Bulldogs, but are set to face Geelong in the AAMI Community Series.
Jordan Ridley suffered another injury setback and will miss the Dogs clash after hurting his hamstring.
Matt Guelfi also suffered a hamstring injury,requiring surgery and will miss 10-12 weeks.
Alwyn Davey jnr underwent knee surgery back in training in the next 2-4 weeks.
Jye Caldwell (hip) and Ben McKay(ankle) had off-season concerns but likely to be available for start of season.
Harrison Jones (ankle) will be ready to play Geelong.
Archer Day-Wicks (toe) and Jayden Nguyen (knee) have had pre-season injuries.
Zak Johnson (shoulder) has been training non-contact.
FREMANTLE
Sean Darcy set to undergo minor surgery to clear an infection in his ankle.Darcy will have a screw removed from his right ankle, which was operated on in July 2023.
“Sean saw a specialist yesterday regarding the infection and it was agreed that the right call is to remove the screw to ensure that aren’t any long-term ongoing issues with infection,” Freo executive general manager of football Joe Brierty.
“The removal of this screw will mean that Darcy will have a couple of weeks de-loading to recover from the procedure before re-commencing training.
“Sean has been training diligently throughout pre-season and pleasingly he can continue to implement his knee program during this period as he prepares to return to full training.”
“All going well, it is anticipated that there will only be a small adjustment to his return to play timelines with the aim to return to football in the early rounds of the season.”
Shai Bolton suffered a minor calf strain in training last week
Hayden Young low-grade hamstring injury and will miss indigenous game.
Sean Darcy is set to increase his preparations for the season after a trip to Qatar to work on training and strengthening techniques. He had been in the rehab group following knee surgery last August and recently joined in football drills.
Michael Walters and Nat Fyfe have each been on managed programs following arthroscopic knee surgery.
Quinton Narkle has been managed through his first pre-season after some foot issues last year.
Brandon Walker is out of contact training after a minor shoulder setback.
Alex Pearce is expected to play in Friday’s match simulation after a recent ankle issue.
GEELONG
Cam Guthrie toe and Achilles issues. At training last week, Guthrie was restricted to kicking with teammates, before heading off the track.
Toby Conway underwent surgery in mid-July on a stress fracture in his navicular bone (foot) and was not at training last week
Patrick Dangerfield has been on a carefully managed load this pre-season, one which has included a lot of cross-training.
GOLD COAST
Sam Flanders. has a back complaint and although he is running strongly, is still unable to do any contact. The club is unsure of exactly when he’ll return, but is hopeful he’ll be available for Opening Round.
Dan Rioli had surgery following an injury to his medial collateral ligament in November, and although he is still wearing the non-contact hat, is taking part in team drills and is expected to play Sydney in the AAMI Community Series.
Will Graham is on the way back from a hamstring injury and should integrate to full training in the coming week.
GWS
Josh Kelly (hip surgery) will play match simulation sessions this week
Kieren Briggs, who had an operation on his knee across the break but has mostly returned to full duties.
Stephen Coniglio should return in the coming weeks following shoulder surgery, but the club is yet to determine whether he’ll feature in any preseason games
Toby Bedford is returning from a quad issue, but is on track for Opening Round
Josh Fahey is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot.
Josh Fahey, Jake Riccardi, Toby McMullin, Harvey Thomas and Joe Fonti – won’t be available for the start of the season due to suspension following an incident at the club’s end-of-season event last year.
HAWTHORN
Mitch Lewis and James Blanck have travelled to Philadelphia to continue their rehab from knee reconstructions, but the pair aren’t expected to be available in the first half of 2025.
Calsher Dear is working back from a stress reaction in his back and facing a delayed start to the season.
James Sicily (shoulder) and Will Day (collarbone) have both recovered from off-season surgery and are set for the practice matches.
Sam Frost is also building his conditioning after recovering from a stress fracture in his foot.
Sam Butler has recovered from a broken leg.
Connor Macdonald injured his ankle on the pre-season camp but should be right to play match simulation later this month.
Jai Newcombe copped a nasty corked leg on the camp.
MELBOURNE
Koltyn Tholstrup will be sidelined for the next 10 to 12 weeks after scans revealed early signs of bone stress,
Luker Kentfield (illness) is also delayed season start after he had a lengthy stint in hospital with complications from pneumonia.
Jake Melksham suffered a hamstring tear at training last week, with no timeline set for his return.
Christian Petracca is nearing a return to full fitness in his recovery from the cracked rib he suffered at training in January.
Max Gawn has re-joined the main training group, having spent the past six weeks in non-contact training after he fractured his voice box in December.
Jake Lever has also returned to full training following off-season shoulder and knee surgery.
Xavier Lindsay (knee) and forward Charlie Spargo (Achilles) have also integrated into full training after being restricted in the lead-up to Christmas.
Kade Chandler (shoulder) and Judd McVee (foot) remain on a modified program but expect to integrate into contact drills in the next week.
Kozzy Pickett will miss the first three games of the campaign due to the ban he copped from the final game of last season.
NORTH MELBOURNE
George Wardlaw high grade hamstring strain suffered during a match simulation drill late last month. Is expected to miss up to three months
Aidan Corr and Wil Dawson rejoined the main group this week, having undergone finger and shoulder surgery respectively across the summer.
Josh Goater expected to be fit for the start of the season, having suffered a ruptured Achilles last year.
Callum Coleman-Jones is unfortunately set to be sidelined for the first half of the season as he rehabs an Achilles injury.
Brayden George could be fit for the start of the season as he recovers from an ACL injury sustained last year.
PORT ADELAIDE
Sam Powell-Pepper has all but completed rehabilitation from the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament that. Powell-Pepper is still non-contact but is expected to resume full training next week and be available for round one.
Kane Farrell, who missed last season’s finals series with a hamstring injury, is now fully recovered and took part in match simulation this week, as did Ivan Soldo, who has recovered from a knee injury.
Todd Marshall has made the first step towards recovery following surgery on his ruptured Achilles tendon, now weight-bearing in a moon boot.
Willem Drew will resume running in the coming days after having a plantar fascia release and should play at least one pre-season match.
Joe Berry copped a poke in the eye last week and is on light duties at the moment.
RICHMOND
Judson Clarke, Mykelti Lefau, Tylar Young, Josh Gibcus and Taj Hotton all returning from ACLs, remain some way off, with small forward Clarke expected to be the first one back in April. Gibcus has been put on ice, and is likely to miss at least the first six matches. He went back to Qatar for a week over the off-season – not because of any particular issues with his hamstring, but because he enjoyed the body mechanical work he completed in 2023.
Dion Prestia had a strong December block but has been managed in recent weeks, given his extensive hamstring and calf history, which has flared at this point of pre-season in previous years.
Tom Lynch is currently in concussion protocols after a training collision on Friday.
Josh Smillie picked up a minor hamstring injury during match simulation and is an outside chance to feature in the practice matches.
Jasper Alger suffered a minor knee hyperextension.
Noah Balta has been banned by the club from the practice matches and the first four rounds of the season after pleading guilty to assault following an incident in December.
ST KILDA
Dougal Howard and Mattaes Phillipou to both miss the first few months of the season.
Rowan Marshall expected to play round one despite suffering a stress fracture in his pelvis.
Liam Henry is no guarantee to be available for round one due to recent knee surgery.
Paddy Dow will miss the start of the season due to multiple rounds of surgery following a serious infection.
Alix Tauru is continuing his recovery from a back issue.
Hunter Clark is making progress from a recent groin injury and is on track to be available for round one.
SYDNEY
Logan McDonald is facing an uncertain start to the season following a setback after post-seasonankle surgery. Yet to resume full training, with the club saying only his progress has been “delayed” but providing no clear timeline on when he will return.
Hayden McLean has only recommenced team training this week after managing a groin issue over the off-season. Jesse Dattoli is set to resume running in 2-4 weeks after suffering a serious back injury last year.
Will Edwards will resume team training in the next month after having surgery on a fractured leg last December.
Jack Buller will also be sidelined for 2-4 weeks after suffering a shoulder injury in a match simulation last week.
WEST COAST EAGLES
Dom Sheed is consulting surgeons after suffering an ACL injury in training this week.
Elliot Yeo will miss the first month of the season. Yeo underwent ankle syndesmosis surgery and damaged medial ligaments in his right knee after being injured in a tackle during match simulation.
Harley Reid has been managed with a sore ankle, should be back in training next week.
Jake Waterman missed recent sessions with back soreness,should be back in training next week.
Callum Jamieson is rehabilitating after ankle and knee operations last year.
Rhett Bazzo also working back from surgery to repair a foot fracture.
Liam Baker is back in full training after an ankle concern. Campbell Chesser has endured an interrupted pre-season with some lower leg issues but is now ramping up his program.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Liam Jones and Jason Johannisen will miss at least a couple of months due to high-grade hamstring injuries.
Adam Treloar has endured a frustrating pre-season due to a series of calf strains that will delay his start to the season by at least a month.
Aaron Naughton and Cody Weightman have both been on modified programs but played in Sunday’s intraclub and look set for round one.
Anthony Scott is recovering from a kneecap subluxation and facing a race against the clock.
Nick Coffield has been interrupted. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has been away from the club dealing with personal issues and doesn’t have a clear return date just yet.
