Which teams have been hardest hit by injuries and suspension so far in 2009? We rank them in order of the number of players each club has had unavailable each week…

1. HAWTHORN
Average number of players missing per round: 16
Total number of matches missed by listed players: 64
Theories of a premiership hangover may make good copy, but the reality is Hawthorn has been decimated with injury and is clearly the hardest hit club. With more than a third of its list unavailable so far each week, it's no wonder Hawthorn is 13th.

2. SYDNEY SWANS
Average number of players missing per round: 13
Total number of matches missed by listed players: 50
The Swans have been ravaged by injury but remain competitive, particularly at home. The club's unavailability list will remain high, with Tadhg Kennelly, Nic Fosdike and Kyle Coney retired and Henry Playfair and Campbell Heath expected to miss most, if not all, of the season.

3. MELBOURNE
Average number of players missing per round: 12
Total number of matches missed by listed players: 46
Although external expectations were not high for Melbourne this year, the Demons have again had to deal with injury woes after a healthy list pre-season. Only Hawthorn and the Swans have had more players miss matches so far.

4. GEELONG
Average number of players missing per round: 10
Total number of matches missed by listed players: 41
After a fine run with injury during their 2007/08 grand final years, the Cats have been one of the hardest hit clubs. Matthew Egan, Josh Hunt and Mitch Brown won't play this year and Tom Harley is yet to feature.

5. FREMANTLE
Average number of players missing per round: 10
Total number of matches missed by listed players: 39
Although several theories have been tossed up for Fremantle's poor form and winless start, injuries can be attributed to part of it. Freo has had double-figure absentees for three of the four rounds, with Des Headland, Chris Mayne and Hayden Ballantyne yet to play.   

6. ESSENDON
Average number of players missing per round: 9
Total number of matches missed by listed players: 36
With Andrew Welsh and Brent Prismall penciled in for mid-season returns, and Scott Gumbleton and Jason Laycock out indefinitely, the Bombers have had their injury problems. Youngsters Kyle Reimers, Michael Hurley, Jay Neagle and Heath Hocking have also had interrupted starts to the season.

7. WEST COAST EAGLES
Average number of players missing per round: 8
Total number of matches missed by listed players: 32
After two injury ravaged years in 2007/08, West Coast is having a reasonable run with personnel. Tough-nut Beau Waters is out for the season, although No.2 draftee Nic Naitanui is expected to have his first run in the WAFL this weekend.

8. NORTH MELBOURNE
Average number of players missing per round: 8
Total number of matches missed by listed players: 31
The Roos haven't been wracked with injury, but they have missed some talented youngsters coming through, with Jesse Smith, Robbie Tarrant and Liam Anthony yet to play. Aaron Edwards is set to return this round from a club-imposed suspension.

9. ADELAIDE
Average number of players missing per round: 7
Total number of matches missed by listed players: 29
Brett Burton remains Adelaide's biggest loss this season – he remains out indefinitely – although overall, the Crows have had a much kinder run with injuries this season as opposed to 2007/08.

10. BRISBANE LIONS
Average number of players missing per round: 7
Total number of matches missed by listed players: 27
The Lions have had a reasonable run with their health, but concerns have emerged in their ruck stocks, with Jamie Charman joining Matthew Leuenberger and Joel Tippett on the sidelines. And rookie ruckman Daniel Murray has only just returned from a groin injury.

11. CARLTON
Average number of players missing per round: 7
Total number of matches missed by listed players: 26
Andrew Walker and Robert Warnock are the two long-term injuries at Carlton, with Michael  Jamison to be tested this round. Still, the Blues have been OK with injuries after four rounds, with just six players sidelined last weekend.

12. WESTERN BULLDOGS
Average number of players missing per round: 6
Total number of matches missed by listed players: 25
Although the Dogs had slightly higher player unavailability numbers last round, including the absence of Adam Cooney, they have been one of the least affected clubs. Most of their sidelined players have also been youngsters/rookies.

13. ST KILDA
Average number of players missing per round: 5
Total number of matches missed by listed players: 21
The Saints have capitalised on their good run with availability and are now on top of the AFL ladder. It's no coincidence St Kilda has hit top form despite the absences of Max Hudghton and Sean Dempster.

14. RICHMOND
Average number of players missing per round: 5
Total number of matches missed by listed players: 20
Unfortunately for Richmond, injuries can't be used as a major excuse for their much-publicised poor start – the Tigers had the fewest players on the sidelines last round. Still, the four absentees – Trent Cotchin, Ben Cousins, Kane Johnson and Andrew Raines – are important losses.

15. COLLINGWOOD
Average number of players missing per round: 4
Total number of matches missed by listed players: 17
After the Power, the Pies have had the best run with player availability this season. Ben Johnson is now out for four to five weeks, with Heath Shaw a week away.

16. PORT ADELAIDE
Average number of players missing per round: 4
Total number of matches missed by listed players: 14
The Power has had the fewest players miss matches, even though the Burgoyne brothers and Domenic Cassisi were absent last round. That makes their win over Hawthorn all the more meritorious.