Who's struggling and who's a test ahead of round six
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Kyle Cheney
Hamstring
2-3 weeks
Ben Davis*
Foot
Season
Tom Doedee
Shoulder
Test
Cam Ellis-Yolmen*
Knee
Season
Josh Jenkins
Ribs
Test
Alex Keath
Hamstring
2-3 weeks
Riley Knight
Hamstring
1-2 weeks
Mitch McGovern
Hamstring
7-11 weeks
Paul Seedsman
Groin
Test
Daniel Talia
Hamstring
Test
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
Daniel Talia looks set to take on the Tigers after making a quick recovery from his hamstring injury, but Riley Knight will miss. Jake Kelly and Josh Jenkins have both been given the all-clear to return. - Lee Gaskin
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Allen Christensen
Shoulder
Season
Tom Cutler
Hamstring
Test
Sam Skinner*
Knee
5 weeks
Reuben William
Shoulder
1-2 weeks
Alex Witherden
Hamstring
TBC
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
Darcy Gardiner (calf) was a late withdrawal against the Western Bulldogs but will resume full training this week and be available to play Port Adelaide, while Tom Cutler (hamstring) will also return. Reuben William would have played NEAFL this weekend, but the Lions have a bye, so he will have to wait until round six.- Michael Whiting
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Ciaran Byrne
Knee
June-July
Bryce Gibbs
Thumb
Test
Daniel Gorringe
Achilles
2 weeks
Matt Korcheck
Shoulder
1 week
Matthew Kreuzer
Soreness
Test
Jed Lamb
Knee
Test
Kym Lebois
Quad
1-2 weeks
Harrison Macreadie
Managed
1 week
Marc Murphy
Knee
Test
Rhys Palmer
Knee
1 week
Ciaran Sheehan
Knee
2 weeks
Liam Sumner
Hamstring
2 weeks
Dale Thomas
Soreness
Test
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
The Blues are confident Marc Murphy (knee) will take his place against the Swans, but could still be a late out. Fellow midfielder Bryce Gibbs, who injured his left thumb last Friday night, should also be available. Veterans Matthew Kreuzer, who was rested from last Friday night’s game against Port Adelaide because of soreness, will return. - Howard Kotton
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Tim Broomhead
Jaw
TBC
Jordan De Goey
Club-imposed suspension
1 week
Tom Langdon
Knee
1-2 weeks
Ben Reid
Managed
1 week
Ben Sinclair*
Hamstring
9-10 weeks
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
Ben Reid will miss this week after the short break following Anzac Day. Tim Broomhead copped a knock to the jaw, but appears set to take on the Cats. Jordan De Goey still has one week to serve as part of a club-imposed three-game suspension for initially lying about how he sustained a broken knuckle. The Pies hope Tom Langdon will resume shortly in the VFL. Ben Sinclair is still eyeing a return in the second half of the year. - Ben Collins
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Aaron Francis
Rested
1 week
James Kelly
Rested
1 week
Jayden Laverde*
Ankle
6-8 weeks
Matthew Leuenberger
Rested
1 week
Conor McKenna
Suspension
Round six
Alex Morgan
Hamstring
Test
David Myers*
Finger
Available
Mason Redman
Groin
Available
Jordan Ridley*
Back
4-6 weeks
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
The Bombers have decided to rest James Kelly, Aaron Francis and Matthew Leuenberger due to the short break after Anzac Day. David Myers is available for selection for the first time this season following finger surgery but will spend another week in the VFL. Ben Howlett is back from his hamstring injury and is set to take on the Demons. Jayden Laverde's exciting speed and marking ability would be handy for the Bombers but he is still some way off making a return from his serious ankle injury. - Callum Twomey
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Michael Apeness
Knee
2 weeks
Harley Balic
Hip
Test
Hayden Ballantyne
Hamstring
3-5 weeks
Harley Bennell
Calf
7-9 weeks
Zac Clarke*
Knee
TBA
Josh Deluca
Groin
3 weeks
Stephen Hill
Hamstring
3-4 weeks
Alex Pearce
Leg
TBA
Luke Ryan
Hip
1 week
Matthew Uebergang
Hamstring
TBA
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
Losing Stephen Hill to a hamstring strain is a major blow, but youngster Harley Balic is fit again and is back in the team for the Western Derby. Michael Apeness was back training with the main group on Tuesday and is closing in on a return to football after a PCL issue sidelined him on the eve of the season. – Travis King
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Ryan Abbott
Back
Test
Josh Cowan
Achilles soreness
Test
Cory Gregson*
Foot
5 weeks
Tom Hawkins
Corked thigh
Test
Lincoln McCarthy
Groin
Test
Daniel Menzel
Managed
1 week
James Parsons
Suspended
1 week
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
Daniel Menzel will be rested this week against the Pies, while Lincoln McCarthy and Josh Cowan are both set to miss another week. Tom Hawkins copped a corked thigh against St Kilda but is expected to play against Collingwood, and Sam Menegola is available after serving a one-week suspension. - Peter Ryan
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Ben Ainsworth
Quad
3 weeks
Sam Day
Hip
Season
Mitch Hallahan
Hamstring
1 week
Pearce Hanley
Ankle
3-4 weeks
Cameron Loersch
Knee
Test
Steven May
Hamstring
1 week
Trent McKenzie
Hamstring
1 week
Michael Rischitelli
Knee
Indefinite
David Swallow
Managed
1 week
Rory Thompson
Quad
Test
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
David Swallow will be rested this week as the club takes a cautious approach with the midfielder, who has missed a lot of footy in the past two seasons. Defenders Steven May and Rory Thompson should be in the mix to return next week. Pearce Hanley suffered a setback with his ankle injury and is now not expected to return until after the club's bye in round 10.- Michael Whiting
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Matt Buntine
Knee
Season
Stephen Coniglio
Ankle
1 week
Phil Davis
Hamstring
1 week
Brett Deledio
Calf
TBC
Tom Downie*
Illness
Indefinite
Ryan Griffen
Ankle
7-9 weeks
Harrison Himmelberg
Ribs
Test
Tendai Mzungu
Hamstring
7-9 weeks
Will Setterfield
Ankle
7-9 weeks
Lachie Whitfield
Suspended
Round eight
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
Phil Davis felt a slight twinge at training on Anzac Day but should only miss one game, but the positive news is that Stephen Coniglio could be fit to return in the next two weeks at some level after stepping up his running over the past fortnight. Harry Himmelberg is set to return in the NEAFL, but there's still no timeframe on Brett Deledio's comeback. - Adam Curley
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Grant Birchall
Fractured jaw
1 week
Jonathon Ceglar*
Knee
8 weeks
Kieran Lovell
Shoulder
Indefinite
Jaeger O'Meara
Knee
Test
Cyril Rioli
Hip
1 week
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
Cyril Rioli will miss this week after injuring his hip when completing a mark of the year contender against the Eagles. But his injury is offset by the return of boom recruit Jaeger O'Meara following a knock to the knee. Isaac Smith overextended his knee against West Coast but was able to play out the match and has pulled up well. Grant Birchall returned to training last week and will return in round seven. - Nathan Schmook
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Angus Brayshaw
Concussion
Test
Colin Garland*
Knee
Season
Max Gawn
Hamstring
11 weeks
Jesse Hogan
Family reasons
TBC
Pat McKenna
Hamstring
5-7 weeks
Christian Petracca
Knee
Test
Joel Smith
Shoulder
11 weeks
Tim Smith
Rib/punctured lung
TBC
Jake Spencer
Shoulder
6-7 weeks
Aaron vandenBerg
Heel
5-7 weeks
Josh Wagner
Thumb
2-3 weeks
Sam Weideman
Corked leg
Test
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
Jesse Hogan will miss this week following the death of his father. The ruck stocks at Melbourne hit crisis point when Jake Spencer hurt his shoulder, scans ruling out the big man for close to two months. Mitch King played in the seconds after a long layoff but will need more time in the VFL. Christian Petracca is likely to play but will face a test late in the week on his knee, while Tim Smith is out for a length after puncturing a lung and finishing the game against Richmond in hospital. In better news Jordan Lewis is back after a three-week suspension. - Ben Guthrie
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Paul Ahern*
Knee
Season
Todd Goldstein
Ankle
Test
Mitch Hibberd
Concussion
Test
Shaun Higgins
Hamstring
Test
Ben Jacobs
Foot
1-2 weeks
Oscar Junker
Broken tibia
6-8 weeks
Jarrad Waite
AC joint
1-2 weeks
Sam Wright
Ankle
5-7 weeks
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
Todd Goldstein and Shaun Higgins – a late withdrawal against Fremantle – should be available. The Roos took a cautious approach with Higgins, given his injury history, while Goldstein returned to the field. Braydon Preuss is the obvious replacement if Goldstein doesn't come up. Jarrad Waite is unlikely to play before round seven. Mitch Hibberd sat out Werribee's VFL match on Saturday after a head clash the week before. – Marc McGowan
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Travis Boak
Hamstring
1-2 weeks
Hamish Hartlett
Quad
Test
Jack Hombsch
Knee
Test
Matthew Lobbe
Hamstring
Test
Angus Monfries
Hamstring
Test
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
Travis Boak went off the ground in the third quarter of the Power's big win against Carlton and has been ruled out to face the Lions. Key defender Jack Hombsch will return after missing the past three games with a medial ligament strain to his right knee. - Lee Gaskin
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Nathan Broad*
Shoulder
5-6 weeks
Nathan Drummond
Knee
Season
Shane Edwards
Hip
2 weeks
Jack Graham*
Ankle
5-6 weeks
Ben Griffiths
Concussion
Indefinite
Shaun Hampson*
Back
Indefinite
Nick Vlastuin
Concussion
Test
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
The Tigers have assessed tall forward Griffiths this week and sidelined him indefinitely after back-to-back concussions that have the club worried about his immediate playing future. Griffiths, who wears a helmet, doesn't look likely to return until later in the year. Drummond will undergo a knee reconstruction after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament for the second time in his short career. The Tigers have placed a timeframe on draftee Jack Graham's return for the first time, but Shane Edwards remains stranded, at least two weeks away again. - Nathan Schmook
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
David Armitage
Groin
4-6 weeks
Josh Battle
Knee
TBC
Nick Coughlan
Foot
Test
Koby Stevens
Head
Test
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
Nick Riewoldt tweaked his right ankle in the last term against Geelong but came back on and was fine. David Armitage faces more time on the sidelines with a groin injury that keeps pulling up very sore after games. - Dinny Navaratnam
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Robbie Fox
Knee
TBC
Kieren Jack
Hip
TBC
Alex Johnson*
Knee
Indefinite
Harry Marsh
Hamstring
TBC
Jarrad McVeigh
Calf
Test
Sam Naismith
Knee
3 weeks
Dane Rampe
Arm
5 weeks
Dan Robinson
Collarbone
3-4 weeks
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
Jarrad McVeigh's tough run continued when he pulled up sore at the Swans' closed training session last Thursday, and the former co-captain is still at least another week away. Kieren Jack's pre-season hip problem has flared again and he will have at least a fortnight's rest. Harry Marsh hurt his hamstring and will miss this week's clash against the Blues - Adam Curley
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Jamie Cripps
Ankle
8 weeks
Andrew Gaff
Ankle
Test
Scott Lycett*
Shoulder
4-6 weeks
Sam Mitchell
Ankle
Test
Nic Naitanui*
Knee
Late 2017 season
Jackson Nelson
Wrist
4 weeks
Luke Partington
Hand
2 weeks
Drew Petrie
Hand
5-6 weeks
Willie Rioli
Hamstring
4 weeks
Brad Sheppard
Knee
Test
Simon Tunbridge
Knee
Mid-late 2017 season
Jake Waterman
Foot
8 weeks
Francis Watson
Ankle
4-6 weeks
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
The Eagles are licking their wounds after Jackson Nelson and Jamie Cripps were both injured against Hawthorn, but Andrew Gaff, Brad Sheppard and Sam Mitchell have all been declared fit for the massive Western Derby. Luke Partington fractured his hand playing for East Perth at the weekend. – Travis King
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Matthew Boyd
Back
1 week
Travis Cloke
Broken ribs
4-5 weeks
Stewart Crameri
Hip
1-2 weeks
Tory Dickson
Abdominal
1-2 weeks
Josh Dunkley
Hip
Test
Dale Morris
Leg
4-5 weeks
Jack Redpath
Knee
4-5 weeks
Jordan Roughead
Hamstring
4-5 weeks
Roarke Smith
Knee
Season
Mitch Wallis
Broken leg
1-2 weeks
Updated: Thursday, April 27
Track report
The Dogs have opted to give veteran Matthew Boyd a rest and there is no relief from an extensive injury list. Key cogs Dale Morris, Jordan Roughead, Tory Dickson and Travis Cloke will most likely have to return from their concerns in the VFL. - Ryan Davidson
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