BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Sam Flanders of the Suns warms up before the 2024 AFL Round 02 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Gold Coast SUNS at Mars Stadium on March 24, 2024 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)
Each week we’ll collate all the latest injury news as the AFL clubs put out their weekly reports to help you navigate your starting squads and trades each round.
West Coast High Performance Manager Mat Inness provided an update on Elijah Hewett’s status after he missed their AAMI Community Series game due to general soreness.
Inness said: “Elijah has had a great pre-season to date. Due to him missing last season through injury, we’ve used this period to freshen him up as we do from time to time.
“He will be back in training towards the back end of this week, and we expect him to full train next week.”
Gold Coast provided a range of updates, with Sam Flanders in doubt for their Round 1 game. The Suns update came out prior to their Opening Round game being postponed.
The update said: “Sam Flanders (back) has been unavailable for both pre-season practice matches and won’t feature in Opening Round, with the midfielder one to two weeks away from a return.”
Touk Miller has been declared fit, while David Swallow is expected to miss eight weeks after sustaining a PCL injury to his knee in the AAMI Series game against Sydney.
Lachie Weller (hamstring) would’ve faced a test to play in Opening Round, so should be fine for Round 1.
GWS revealed Tom Green is in the mix to return early from a calf injury. The Giants update said: “Has returned to running and will be pushing for an early return in round one.”
Kieren Briggs has been cleared for their Opening Round game following illness last week, while Jesse Hogan will miss 2-3 weeks with a thumb injury. Phoenix Gothard is a test, following an ankle sprain a fortnight ago.
Geelong coach Chris Scott declared Bailey Smith is “absolutely right to go” after a knock in pre-season.
Richmond have ruled out Josh Smillie for the “opening rounds” of the season. Richmond High Performance Manager, Ben Serpell said: “Repeat scans have shown that while Josh has not re-injured his hamstring, it has not healed as well as we would have liked.
“Rather than push him towards those early games, we will ensure he has a good block of training and strength work behind him before he returns to play.”
Sydney put out their injury report, with Callum Mills now listed as 4 weeks away. The Swans update said: “Callum’s plantar fascia tear is settling well. He is completing cross training and gym-based strength work this week. Targeted an approximate return in 4 weeks’ time.”
The Swans also provided an update on Errol Gulden. The club said: “Errol had surgery in Brisbane on Sunday and will be in a cast for the next 2 weeks. He will have a follow up appointment with his surgeon in 5 weeks, where an approximate return date will be determined.”
Brodie Grundy missed their final pre-season game and the Swans said: “Brodie sustained a knock to his right knee during last week’s main training session. He was unable to play in the match against Gold Coast due to knee soreness, and will be a test to play against Hawthorn in Opening Round.”
St Kilda offered a positive update on ruckman Rowan Marshall and defender Jack Sinclair. The Saints update said: “Rowan Marshall and Jack Sinclair will join teammates for main training tomorrow, following speedster Liam Henry who re-joined the squad last week.”
The Saints also noted Mitchito Owens’ shoulder injury requires a 1-3-week rehab window.
Collingwood’s Head of High-Performance Jarrod Wade said Brayden Maynard will be available for Opening Round, while Jordan De Goey should be in the mix for Round 1 or 2 following knee bruising.
Hawthorn High Performance Manager Peter Burge revealed James Blanck is still 6-8 weeks from a return from a knee injury and Changkuoth Jiath will face a test to prove he’s overcome a hip injury.
Port have confirmed Zak Butters will miss 5-7 weeks. The Power update said: “Butters underwent a successful knee surgery on Thursday, with the midfielder already beginning his rehabilitation.”
The Western Bulldogs confirmed Marcus Bontempelli has sustained a complex calf injury and will miss six weeks at least.
Bulldogs Head of Sports Medicine Chris Bell said: “While the Club was optimistic of a positive result overnight, scans have revealed a complex injury with tendon involvement.
“Unfortunately, the structures involved with this particular injury are prone to having recurrent issues so we will need to follow a conservative management timeline to give Marcus the best chance of a successful season.”
Freo confirmed Hayden Young will miss Round 1. Executive General Manager of Football Joe Brierty said: “Scans have revealed a minor re-strain of his previous injury, unfortunately this will rule Hayden out of Round 1.
“At this point in time, we are still finalising timelines and we will be able to see how he progresses over the next fortnight. We expect to see Hayden returning in the early rounds of the season.”
