Who's available, who's a test, and who is struggling? We find out when your injured stars return. Check it out
TAYLOR Adams, Tom Mitchell, Stephen Hill, Joe Daniher, Cal Ward ... There are some big names already on the injury list and a ball hasn't even been bounced. Who will be right for R1, and who is struggling? We find out when your wounded stars will be back.
ADELAIDE
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Luke Brown
Ankle
6-8 weeks
Will Hamill
Finger
TBC
Andrew McPherson
Illness
TBC
Paul Seedsman
Finger
1 week
Updated: Thursday, March 21
Early prognosis
The Crows have just about a full list to choose from for the start of the season. Seedsman will miss a week after having surgery to repair a fractured finger, while Brown is making steady progress in his recovery from left ankle surgery. Jordan Gallucci (foot), Elliott Himmelberg (foot) and Shane McAdam (managed) will play in a SANFL trial against Port Adelaide on Friday night. Draftee Hamill will miss the SANFL trial with a fractured finger, while McPherson has a virus.- Lee Gaskin
BRISBANE
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Marcus Adams
Knee
2 weeks
Tom Fullarton
Hamstring
Test
Darcy Gardiner
Knee
Test
Connor McFadyen
Foot
Test
Jack Payne
Shin
4-5 weeks
Nick Robertson
Hamstring
Test
Brandon Starcevich
Hamstring
8 weeks
Updated: Wednesday, March 20
Early prognosis
Gardiner is almost certain to win a place to play the Eagles after two strong weeks of training. Although he hasn't played either JLT Community Series match, the defender is one of the club's most reliable players, and barring any mishaps, should be selected. Robertson will play in a NEAFL practice match, while Adams is running well and is only a couple of weeks away from being available.- Michael Whiting
CARLTON
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Sam Docherty
Knee
Indefinite
Matthew Kennedy
Shoulder
1 week
Matthew Kreuzer
Knee
1-2 weeks
Darcy Lang
Foot
TBC
Harrison Macreadie
Back
TBC
Caleb Marchbank
Back
2-3 weeks
Jarrod Pickett
Knee
Indefinite
Tom Williamson
Back
TBC
Updated: Wednesday, March 19
Early prognosis
Kennedy and Kreuzer remain a week or two away with shoulder and knee problems, respectively. Marchbank is a couple of weeks behind them as he continues his recovery from a back problem. Lang, Macreadie and Williamson are no chance for round one, though no timeline has yet been placed on their returns. - Riley Beveridge
COLLINGWOOD
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Taylor Adams
Finger
3 weeks
Tim Broomhead
Leg
1-2 weeks
Jordan De Goey
Foot
Available
Lynden Dunn
Knee
3 weeks
Will Hoskin-Elliott
Knee
4 weeks
Tom Langdon
Concussion
Available
Sam Murray
Provisional ASADA suspension
TBC
Ben Reid
Quad
2-3 weeks
Matt Scharenberg
Knee
10 weeks
Jaidyn Stephenson
Groin
Available
Daniel Wells
Foot
4 weeks
Updated: Wednesday, March 20
Early prognosis
De Goey, Stephenson and Langdon are fit for the round one clash with Geelong, but Hoskin-Elliott, Adams and Murphy will be sidelined for the opening rounds. Dunn is back in full training and so is Broomhead, while Wells should join them soon. Reid is running following another soft-tissue problem while a longer-term view will be taken with Scharenberg as he returns from a third knee reconstruction. - Ben Collins
ESSENDON
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Josh Begley
Knee
TBC
Joe Daniher
Calf
5 weeks
Matt Dea
Knee
4 weeks
Dyson Heppell
Hamstring
Available
Cale Hooker
Calf
4 weeks
Martin Gleeson
Ankle
Available
Tom Jok
Concussion
Test
Zach Merrett
Ankle
Available
Kobe Mutch
Ankle
TBC
Mason Redman
Ankle
Available
Updated: Tuesday, March 19
Early prognosis
More bad news for Daniher with the gun forward sidelined for up to six weeks with a calf injury. Merrett (ankle), Heppell (hamstring) and Fantasia (corked quad) will be all fit for round one after being on a minutes restriction against the Cats in the last JLT Communtiy Series game. Gleeson and Redman (both ankles) will play in a VFL practice match this week. - Ben Guthrie
FREMANTLE
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Harley Bennell
Calf
TBC
Connor Blakely
Hamstring
5 weeks
Brennan Cox
Hamstring
4 weeks
Hugh Dixon
Hip
1-2 weeks
Bradley Hill
Calf
Test
Stephen Hill
Quad
2-4 weeks
Jesse Hogan
Mental health
TBC
Shane Kersten
Foot
TBC
Griffin Logue
Hamstring
Test
Brandon Matera
Suspension
Round 1
Aaron Sandilands
Calf
TBC
Sam Switkowski
Hamstring
1 week
Matt Taberner
Calf
Test
Luke Valente
Groin
2 weeks
Updated: Tuesday, March 19
Early prognosis
The Dockers' depth will be seriously tested early in the season and after seemingly being spoilt for choice with tall targets in attack they are now without Hogan, Cox, Dixon and Kersten, although they are hopeful Taberner will be available after a minor calf setback. Bradley Hill is all but certain to be fit to face North Melbourne after sustaining a corked calf, while Logue is hopeful of returning from a strained hamstring in the first JLT match against Collingwood.- Travis King
GEELONG
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Jed Bews
Groin
Test
Nakia Cockatoo
Adductor
Test
Lachie Fogarty
Hip
1-2 weeks
Esava Ratugolea
Finger
Test
Scott Selwood
Hamstring
3-5 weeks
Zac Smith
Knee
1-2 weeks
Zach Tuohy
Knee
1-2 weeks
Updated: Monday, March 18
Early prognosis
Scans have confirmed Selwood strained his hamstring in the VFL practice match on Friday night against Werribee. Described as "medium term" by the Cats, he won't be seen in the first month of the season. Ratugolea hasn't missed any load into his legs after dislocating his finger at training. Sporting a cast, the power forward will need to prove his fitness ahead of Friday night. Bews is a chance to play some minutes in the VFL practice match against Collingwood on Friday. - Mitch Cleary
GOLD COAST
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Josh Corbett
Knee
1-2 weeks
Sean Lemmens
Ankle
4-6 weeks
Jack Leslie
Knee
1-2 weeks
Izak Rankine
Hamstring
5-7 weeks
Josh Schoenfeld
Ankle
2-4 weeks
Rory Thompson
Knee
Season
Harrison Wigg
Knee
Season
Aaron Young
Ankle
1-2 weeks
Updated: Tuesday, March 19
Early prognosis
A couple of glimmers of hope for Gold Coast after a rough fortnight with news Young will miss just one or two weeks with the ankle injury suffered against Sydney. Richmond recruit Corey Ellis has also worked his way off the list following groin surgery and will be available to play a practice match against QAFL team Palm Beach on Sunday morning.- Michael Whiting
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Jye Caldwell
Groin
1-2 weeks
Aidan Corr
Groin
Test
Nick Haynes
Back
Test
Zac Langdon
Foot
3-4 weeks
Shane Mumford
Suspended
Round 3
Jon Patton
Knee
8-10 weeks
Callan Ward
Knee
3-4 weeks
Updated: Tuesday, March 19
Early prognosis
Haynes trained on Tuesday but looks to have missed too much training to be considered for Sunday's clash with Essendon. Ward still has a brace on his knee and looks a month away, while Langdon is off his crutches and is working hard in the pool. Corr (groin) is also on light duties as he continues his way back from groin issues.- Adam Curley
HAWTHORN
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Grant Birchall
Calf
Indefinite
Kaiden Brand
Ankle
Available
Jack Gunston
ITB soreness
Test
Daniel Howe
Hip
Available
Darren Minchington
Hamstring
4-6 weeks
Tom Mitchell
Leg
Season
Tom Scully
Ankle
2-3 weeks
Chad Wingard
Calf
1 week
Updated: Tuesday, March 19
Early prognosis
The big news is recruit Scully is now listed as a few weeks away from making his return to the field. The ex-Giant has been building his training loads slowly since crossing over to Hawthorn, and barring any setbacks we could see him make a senior debut between rounds four to six. In not so good news though, Birchall has had a setback in his return from a knee injury, and will now be managed cautiously as he tries to overcome a calf complaint. Vice-captain Gunston should be available to face the Crows in the season opener at Adelaide Oval. - Nat Edwards
MELBOURNE
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Jeff Garlett
Shoulder
2-3 weeks
Mitch Hannan
Knee
6-10 weeks
James Harmes
Finger
Test
Kade Kolodjashnij
Adductor
3 weeks
Jay Kennedy Harris
Leg
10-12 weeks
Jake Lever
Knee
6-10 weeks
Steven May
Suspension
Round 2
Aaron Nietschke
Knee
Season
Braydon Preuss
Groin
Test
Joel Smith
Groin
4-6 weeks
Tim Smith
Calf
2 weeks
Aaron vandenBerg
Ankle
4 weeks
Jack Viney
Corked iliotibial band
Test
Guy Walker
Shoulder
Indefinite
Updated: Wednesday, March 20
Early prognosis
Viney was on light duties during a one-hour 'flush' session at training on Monday, so will need to step it up on Wednesday to prove his fitness for Saturday's game against the Power. Harmes (finger) did not train and will be monitored carefully this week before being declared fit to play. Harmes had surgery so the call will need to be made whether he can handle the ball comfortably and without pain. Joel Smith (groin) and Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) could both miss several weeks, while Walker will miss most of the season with nerve damage in his shoulder.– Ben Guthrie
NORTH MELBOURNE
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Jed Anderson
Hamstring
TBC
Tom Campbell
Suspension
Round two
Majak Daw
Pelvis/hips
Indefinite
Sam Durdin
Finger
3-5 weeks
Ben Jacobs
Sinusitis
Indefinite
Jamie Macmillan
Calf
Test
Tom McKenzie
Back
TBC
Robbie Tarrant
AC joint
Test
Scott Thompson
Suspended
Round two
Will Walker
PCL
TBC
Marley Williams
Calf
Test
Sam Wright
Quad
Test
Tristan Xerri
Osteitis pubis
TBC
Updated: Tuesday, March 19
Early prognosis
Senior regulars Wright and Anderson won't play against Fremantle on Sunday, with the former suffering his injury in the Roos' JLT Community Series finale. Anderson didn't appear in either of the Roos' JLT matches and has a history with hamstring issues. Macmillan, Tarrant and Williams are on track to face the Dockers, while forgotten forward Taylor Garner made an impressive return from his hamstring issues in a VFL practice match on Saturday. – Marc McGowan
PORT ADELAIDE
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Joe Atley
Knee
Available
Matthew Broadbent
Hamstring
TBC
Charlie Dixon
Leg/ankle
TBC
Riley Grundy
Knee
TBC
Sam Hayes
Knee
TBC
Jarrod Lienert
Knee
TBC
Jake Patmore
Knee
Season
Paddy Ryder
Cheekbone
Available
Ollie Wines
Shoulder
2-3 weeks
Updated: Thursday, March 21
Early prognosis
Ryder has been given the all clear to take on Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday. The ruckman will wear headgear to protect his cheekbone. Co-captain Wines looks set to miss at least the first two rounds in his recovery from shoulder surgery. Vice-captain Hartlett will play in a SANFL trial game on Friday night in his first game back from a torn ACL, while young midfielder Atley (knee) will also resume with the Port Adelaide Magpies. Broadbent will miss the SANFL game after experiencing hamstring tightness at training. The club isn't putting a timeframe on the return of key forward Dixon, who had a clean-out of his right ankle on Tuesday afternoon. He's likely to miss at least the first month of the season and possibly longer. Defender Lienert is sidelined with medial damage to his knee sustained in the second JLT Community Series game against North Melbourne.- Lee Gaskin
RICHMOND
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Josh Caddy
Ankle
Indefinite
Jason Castagna
Ankle
Test
Ryan Garthwaite
Achilles
Test
Shaun Grigg
Knee
Indefinite
Tom Lynch
PCL
Test
Jacob Townsend
Thigh
Test
Updated: Tuesday, March 19
Early prognosis
Mystery surrounds whether high-profile recruit Lynch will be right for round one, with the player himself suggesting at the club's season launch he may even play VFL. The trio of Castagna, Garthwaite and Townsend are expected to play managed minutes in Thursday afternoon's VFL practice match, while Grigg and Caddy remain quite some way off. -Sarah Black
ST KILDA
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Nathan Brown
Suspended
Round 2
Jack Bytel
Back
Season
Jake Carlisle
Back
Indefinite
Oscar Clavarino
Ankle
3-5 weeks
Dan Hannebery
Hamstring
2-4 weeks
Max King
Knee
8-10 weeks
Doulton Langlands
Hamstring
Test
Billy Longer
Hamstring
1-2 weeks
Paddy McCartin
Concussion
TBC
Dylan Roberton
Heart
Season
Jack Steven
Mental health
Test
Updated: Tuesday, March 19
Early prognosis
Steven has the tick from a mental health perspective, but needs to prove his physical fitness. The build-up continues for Hannebery, who has experienced hamstring tightness when he's increased his training loads. McCartin faces more tests after his eighth concussion since 2014. - Dinny Navaratnam
SYDNEY
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Lance Franklin
Groin
Test
Matthew Ling
Toe
Indefinite
Jack Maibaum
Knee
Season
Daniel Menzel
Groin
1-2 weeks
Sam Naismith
Knee
4-6 weeks
Nick Smith
Illness / hamstring
2-3 weeks
Durak Tucker
Knee
Indefinite
Updated: Tuesday, March 19
Early prognosis
Franklin trained strongly again on Tuesday and could be available to face the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night, if he gets through Thursday's closed session. Isaac Heeney (ankle), Oliver Florent (foot) and Kieren Jack (knee) are all cleared to play with Heeney and Florent certain to face the Dogs. Jack could take part on limited minutes in a NEAFL scratch match on Saturday after missing most of the pre-season after surgery. Menzel is slightly behind Franklin but could push his case for his first game in Swans colours at some level in the next fortnight.- Adam Curley
WEST COAST
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Jarrod Cameron
Foot
1-2 weeks
Jamie Cripps
Toe
Test
Andrew Gaff
Suspended
Round 3
Josh Kennedy
Foot
Test
Nic Naitanui
Knee
Indefinite
Brodie Riach
Wrist
Test
Will Schofield
Quad
1 week
Updated: Tuesday, March 19
Early prognosis
Kennedy missed Monday's skills session at Optus Stadium after taking part in an intraclub last Friday and needs to get through a fitness test on Wednesday to put his hand up for the trip to face Brisbane. Cripps has been ruled out of the season opener but trained fully on Monday ahead of a potential round two return. Schofield is back training after a nasty corked quad suffered nearly a month ago but needs to build his fitness base again before becoming available. - Travis King
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Tom Boyd
Back
5-7 weeks
Ben Cavarra
Quad
1-2 weeks
Bailey Dale
Ankle
1-2 weeks
Jason Johannisen
Ankle
2-4 weeks
Lin Jong
Hamstring
3-5 weeks
Buku Khamis
Knee
3-5 weeks
Dale Morris
Knee
Indefinite
Liam Picken
Concussion
Indefinite
Laitham Vandermeer
Hamstring
3-5 weeks
Lukas Webb
Neck
2-4 weeks
Updated: Tuesday, March 19
Early prognosis
Morris has avoided surgery despite suffering an ACL injury at training on Friday and is determined to return as early as mid-year. Johannisen is still looking to build towards the early rounds following a lighter program, while Dale is also recovering from an ankle concern. Vandermeer’s hamstring puts him out of frame for at least a month, the same for the more experienced Jong. Boyd and Picken remain longer term propositions. - Paul Bastin