Overall, the Crows are in pretty good nick. Half-back flanker Brodie Smith is making encouraging progress in his rehab from a torn ACL and could return late in the year. Everyone else apart from forward Riley Knight should be available for round one, although Taylor Walker and Hugh Greenwood have had interrupted pre-seasons.

Rule him out: Brodie Smith (knee), possible return late in the season.

Racing to be ready: Forward Knight appears to be only a slight chance of being ready for round one after having minor ankle surgery. The Crows are more confident about the prospects of skipper Walker, who will miss the JLT Community Series with a foot injury. Midfielder Greenwood is back into full training after Achilles surgery in November, while Brad Crouch has been on a modified program with hamstring soreness. - Lee Gaskin 

Brisbane has almost had the perfect pre-season from an injury standpoint. Tom Bell (ankle), Allen Christensen (shoulder) and Mitch Robinson (foot) all began training from the start of November after missing much of 2017, while captain Dayne Beams progressed quickly after off-season shoulder surgery. Jarrod Berry missed a few weeks with a foot niggle but has been in full training since Christmas, while Josh Walker dislocated a finger during the intraclub but will be back training next week.

Rule him out: Sam Skinner (ACL) possible return mid-late season.

Racing to be ready: The only concern for the Lions is utility Marco Paparone who had surgery to release pressure from his sciatic nerve last month. He is not expected to play again until round one or two, mostly likely in the NEAFL. - Michael Whiting

Apart from All Australian Sam Docherty and veteran defender Sam Rowe recovering from knee reconstructions, the Blues are in reasonable shape as the opening-round blockbuster against Richmond draws closer. Inside midfielder Matthew Kennedy played in the AFLX tournament at Etihad Stadium last night, proving he has recovered from surgery on both shoulders in the off-season. Patrick Cripps has enjoyed an outstanding pre-season as he returns from a broken leg and fellow midfielder Ed Curnow is moving well after having an early setback with the bruised larynx that ended his 2017 campaign. Ruckman Andrew Phillips is progressing well after foot surgery in the off-season and key forward Harry McKay is stepping up his work after having bone spurs removed from a toe.

Rule him out: Sam Docherty, ruptured ACL, 2019 return; Sam Rowe, torn ACL, TBC

Racing to be ready: Recruit Darcy Lang is recovering after straining ligaments in his ankle earlier this month. The Blues hope he will be available for the opening round. - Howard Kotton 

Ex-Cat Darcy Lang is struggling to be fit for round one. Picture: AFL Photos

Key Magpies Jamie Elliott (ankle) and Levi Greenwood (knee) had delayed surgery after injuries dating back to last season, while Alex Fasolo (shoulder) suffered his injury in training at the start of pre-season. Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley recently defended the medical processes at the club to AFL.com.au, saying all three had been treated appropriately.

Rule him out: The Pies have a handful of concerns, but no one has been officially ruled out of round one as yet.

Racing to be ready: Elliott, Fasolo and Greenwood needed untimely operations late last year but are aiming for match practice in the JLT Community Series and to be available for round one. Darcy Moore (Achilles) and Jeremy Howe (calf) had setbacks this year but are also aiming to ramp things up in the coming weeks – the former is already running while the latter expects to return soon - also with an eye to possible pre-season competitive action before the season opener. Daniel Wells has had a managed pre-season but should be available, as should Tom Phillips after he was pulled out of AFLX with illness. - Jennifer Phelan 

The Bombers look set to enter the JLT Community Series in reasonably healthy shape, particularly after crucial defender Michael Hurley was cleared of any serious injury to his wrist from last week's intraclub match. That game did claim one victim, however, with Jayden Laverde ruled out for up to 10 weeks with a hamstring injury. Travis Colyer (foot) is also going to be unavailable for the early stages of the season. 

Rule him out: Travis Colyer, foot, 10-12 weeks; Aaron Francis, mental health, TBC; Jayden Laverde, hamstring, 8-10 weeks

Racing to be ready: Second-year pair Kobe Mutch and Jordan Ridley should be available for selection by the time of Essendon's round one clash with Adelaide. Mutch is 4-5 weeks away following knee surgery, while Ridley is back into training after his ankle surgery late last season. - Callum Twomey 

A hamstring strain means Jayden Laverde is no chance to play in round one. Picture: AFL Photos

The majority of the Dockers' squad is in good shape heading towards the JLT Community Series and a tough round one trip to face Port Adelaide. Important players Aaron Sandilands (hamstring), Michael Walters (PCL) and Lachie Neale (knee, groin) appear in excellent shape after off-season surgery. Stephen Hill has been battling a quad strain but the issue isn't thought to be serious given he was running around the boundary at decent pace before watching last Friday's intraclub from the sidelines.

Rule him out: At this stage, it appears Freo should have a full squad to choose from.

Racing to be ready: Young defender Alex Pearce has returned strongly after nearly two years out with a broken leg, but it remains to be seen if his match fitness will see him available for round one. Promising ruckman Sean Darcy is working his way back from a "significant" calf strain and didn't play in last week's intraclub, with his return date unclear. Harley Bennell is still on a club-imposed suspension and, having suffered another calf strain, seemingly needs to make every post a winner to be included for the season-opener. - Travis King

Geelong has seen much improved player availability on the training track this pre-season compared to last. There are some concerns about the fitness of key defender Lachie Henderson, who has twice gone under the knife for a knee injury, while Scott Selwood (ankle) is also battling to be ready for round one after surgery late last month.

Rule him out: Lincoln McCarthy (groin) had surgery in May last year and has had some issues in his recovery. Given his long injury history, the Cats will be cautious with his return. Quinton Narkle (knee) ruptured his ACL in June last year and the Cats are hopeful he may be ready to return by sometime in the middle of the year.

Racing to be ready: Henderson has not yet joined in full training and there is genuine concern around his availability for the start of the season. Scott Selwood has also recently gone under the knife and is in doubt for the opening round. Stewart Crameri (hip) is getting ready to step up his training but has not been sighted in full match practice yet. Youngsters Jack Henry and Mark O'Connor are others who have been in rehab and will need to build up their programs in the coming weeks. - Ben Guthrie

One of the most pleasing things in Stuart Dew's first three months as coach has been the health of his list. The Suns have regularly had 40-plus players doing most sessions, with Tom Lynch (PCL) and Kade Kolodjashnij (concussion) completing the entire pre-season after finishing 2017 on the sidelines. Sam Day has progressed well from his horror dislocated hip and is on track to play pre-season matches, while Pearce Hanley has been in full training since Christmas after breaking a finger during the International Rules Series.

Rule him out: Can't put a line through any Suns players at the moment.

Racing to be ready: Young forward Callum Ah Chee has recovered from a broken hand and is now dealing with a hamstring injury. He's a couple of weeks from rejoining full training, and with the club taking a cautious approach, will struggle to get any pre-season matches in. Adelaide recruit Harrison Wigg fractured his ankle prior to Christmas and has just started running again. - Michael Whiting

The loss of gun defender Zac Williams (achilles) for most of the season aside, the Giants don’t have too many injury concerns, although they’ll be keen to see Toby Greene, Brett Deledio and Rory Lobb back in full training soon. Adam Kennedy and Matt Buntine are progressing well from ACL surgery but are unlikely to be considered.

Rule him out: Matt Buntine, knee, round 3-4; Adam Kennedy, knee, round 1-2; Brent Daniels, knee, round 2-3; Zac Williams, achilles, TBC

Racing to be ready: Toby Greene (toe), Rory Lobb (groin) and Brett Deledio (achilles) have had interrupted summers and match fitness will likely be their only issue. - Adam Curley

Toby Greene's sore toe has kept him out of full training so far. Picture: AFL Photos

All eyes are on Grant Birchall (knee) and Cyril Rioli, who returned from compassionate leave in mid-January after spending the entire pre-season in the Northern Territory. James Frawley, who had recovered from the turf toe issue that ruined his 2017 season, hurt his groin in last week's intraclub match, but is targeting a return in the JLT Community Series. Birchall, Rioli, Isaac Smith (ankle), Kaiden Brand (thumb), Jon Ceglar (back stiffness), Will Langford (finger), Conor Glass, Kurt Heatherley and Harrison Jones did not play in the intraclub match last week. Jarryd Roughead's knee surgery in December was only a minor setback, while Ben McEvoy's hamstring problem is also behind him. McEvoy had strapping on his left elbow in the intraclub contest.

Rule him out: No-one has officially been ruled out.

Racing to be ready: Grant Birchall's pre-Christmas arthroscope on his right knee was concerning, because he was again dealing with the swelling and soreness that saw him undergo a PCL reconstruction in August. He is back running, but his return date is unclear. Cyril Rioli's doing lots of running since being back and is mostly training with the main group after completing a personal program while he was away. - Marc McGowan

Melbourne's most high-profile injury concern centres on co-captain Jack Viney and the foot injury that has taken longer to recover from than first anticipated. Aaron vandenBerg is the Demons' long-term injury concern, with the midfielder slow in his progress from a stress fracture in his heel.

Rule him out: VandenBerg has not begun running yet and there are real concerns about his injury, with a return to the field not in sight. Pat McKenna (hamstring) is about to start running after a number of setbacks in his recovery from a long-term injury.

Racing to be ready: Viney is set to join full training in the next two weeks but a lack of match conditioning ahead of a round one showdown against Geelong will be a big issue. Dean Kent (shoulder) is still in rehab, while defender Joel Smith (leg) has slowly integrated back into full training. Tim Smith (foot) is in the same boat but given the nature of his navicular injury the Demons will be cautious. Sam Weideman (ankle) is another who has been hampered and appears to be in doubt for the opening of the home and away season. - Ben Guthrie

The Kangaroos did not have the numbers on the track they would have liked before Christmas as players such as Jack Ziebell (toe), Majak Daw (foot), Ben Jacobs (foot), Sam Wright (foot/ankle) and Marley Williams (back/shoulder) started their pre-seasons on modified programs. However, all of those players have ramped up their training since January, with the Roos' list in good health ahead of the JLT Community Series. Forward Mason Wood fractured his thumb last week but is aiming to return for North's opening JLT game against Melbourne on February 24, while midfielder Paul Ahern is on track to play his first game in two years after two knee reconstructions.

Rule him out: Kyron Hayden, shoulder, May; Declan Watson, knee, July.

Racing to be ready: Defender Declan Mountford is expected to miss four weeks of training after injuring an AC joint at training this week, which would rule him out of the JLT series, while Jed Anderson is yet to resume full training after undergoing thumb surgery in December. - Nick Bowen

The biggest concern for the Power is defender Matthew Broadbent, who is out indefinitely after surgery for the second time on his troublesome ankle earlier this week. A few of their big names like Chad Wingard, Jared Polec and Steven Motlop have soft tissue injuries, but should be available for round one.

Rule him out: Matthew Broadbent (ankle) likely to miss at least the first month of the season.

Racing to be ready: Polec is struggling with a hamstring issue and veteran recruit Lindsay Thomas has had a back-related hamstring complaint. Wingard and Motlop have both had hamstring problems, but should be right. - Lee Gaskin 

Ankle surgery has already cast a shadow over Matthew Broadbent's season. Picture: AFL Photos

While the Tigers had a slew of post-season surgeries, their rehab group has whittled down significantly in recent weeks. Dion Prestia (ankle), Kane Lambert (knee), and Jayden Short, Oleg Markov and David Astbury (all shoulders) have recovered from surgery and will be available for round one barring any setbacks. Ruckman Shaun Hampson continues to battle with a back complaint, however, and it is difficult to see him featuring in the early rounds.

Rule him out: Shaun Hampson, back, TBC

Racing to be ready: Premiership forward Daniel Rioli is still on modified training after surgery to repair a broken foot at the end of last season and in doubt for round one. He completed his first running session at the end of January and is being re-educated on his running technique after such a long period off legs. The 20-year-old recently had follow-up surgery to remove a plate from his foot, with coach Damien Hardwick committed to taking a conservative approach with his rehab. - Nathan Schmook 

Forward Jack Billings is dealing with a hamstring injury suffered at training a couple of weeks ago but was back running, although not at full intensity, within a few days. Josh Bruce, Jack Newnes and rookie Lewis Pierce had knee operations recently but have re-joined the main group. Ruckman Tom Hickey returned to contact work after a right shoulder reconstruction in the last fortnight, while the injuries that plagued Jack Steven (hamstring) and Mav Weller (ankle) in 2017 have not been problems this pre-season.

Rule him out: The Saints are relatively healthy, with no major injuries. 

Racing to be ready: Only Jack Billings is sidelined right now but he will likely take part in the JLT Community Series. – Dinny Navaratnam

The Swans had some stars go under the knife over summer, and others were given light programs, but the positive news is that all of them are back training and likely to be ready for the JLT community series. Lance Franklin (knees and ankle) and Isaac Heeney (knee) are in fantastic shape, while Josh Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh, Sam Naismith and Gary Rohan are also looking good.

Rule him out: Alex Johnson, groin/hip, April/May

Racing to be ready: Dan Hannebery and Heath Grundy are both battling calf injuries and while they should be right, they don’t have time to have any setbacks from now until round one. - Adam Curley

Dan Hannebery is the Sydney midfielder most in doubt for the start of the season. Picture: AFL Photos

All eyes are fixed on Nic Naitanui as he edges closer to a long-awaited comeback from his knee reconstruction after 18 months out of the game. The star ruckman has been gradually stepping up his workload in recent weeks and is on track to face Sydney at Optus Stadium in round one. Josh Kennedy has started running again after ankle surgery in December and is aiming for the season-opener. Veteran defender Eric Mackenzie is still in a moon boot after a toe setback and a timeline for his return is uncertain, with the Eagles expecting a delayed start to his season.

Rule him out: Mackenzie won't be ready for early-season matches after his toe issue flared-up and forced him back into a moon boot last month.

Racing to be ready: Having your two most important players building towards round one isn't ideal but the Eagles are confident Naitanui will be right for the blockbuster season-opener and Kennedy is making positive progress. - Travis King

The Dogs appear to be fighting fit with all players that had off-season surgery now back to full training. Key defender Marcus Adams has overcome a second serious foot injury inside 18 months and has been taking part in match simulation sessions after returning to full training in January. Goal sneak Tory Dickson has battled adductor, quad and groin complaints over the past two pre-seasons, but the 30-year-old seems to have found some luck.

Rule him out: After injuries have played havoc over the past few seasons, the Dogs look to have a clean bill of health.

Racing to be ready: Midfielder Lin Jong and running defender Roarke Smith are on the comeback trail from knee reconstructions, so their availability must be in some doubt. - Ryan Davidson