THREE of last year's preliminary finalists – the Western Bulldogs, Greater Western Sydney and Sydney – have been the hardest hit by injury in 2017.
At 5-2, both the Giants and the Bulldogs have largely been able to successfully cover their lengthy casualty lists.
However, the Swans, who broke through for their first victory of the season against the Brisbane Lions on Sunday, have struggled.
AFL.com.au's injury ladder reveals the teams that have been cruelled and those that have escaped the injury curse.
The reigning premier Bulldogs have suffered the most games lost through injury – 52 matches – with the Giants (47) and Sydney (46) rounding out the top three.
At the other end of the scale, St Kilda has had just 15 games lost through injury this year.
Through necessity, Sydney has used 35 players this year – two more than any other team – and blooded six debutants.
The calibre of the missing Swans has been the most telling factor in the club's mediocre start to the season.
Prime mover Dane Rampe has played just one game this season (round one), with former co-captain Jarrad McVeigh also playing just one match and young gun Isaac Heeney – hampered by glandular fever – named in just three.
On the flipside, experienced Greater Western Sydney midfielder Ryan Griffen (ankle) has managed just three matches, important onballer Stephen Coniglio (ankle) appeared in his first match last Friday night and injury-plagued recruit Brett Deledio has not played for the Giants as yet.
Another layer to the injury ladder is in-game injuries.
Along with the Bulldogs, ladder-leading Adelaide is the team to have ended games with least fit players on the bench this season, so the Crows can be well satisfied with their 6-1 record and percentage of 138.1.
By contrast, eight teams have enjoyed relatively charmed runs, losing just one player during a game so far this year.
Note: an earlier version of this article contained incorrect data for game-ending injuries. AFL.com.au apologises for the error.
Stats supplied by Champion Data
AFL Exchange, bite-sized: James Kelly's toughest opponent
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