THE LATEST on Dion Prestia, Joe Daniher, Sean Darcy, Paddy McCartin and more.

Check out your club's injury updates after round seven.

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Ned McHenry	Concussion	TBA
Andrew McPherson	Hamstring	Test
Paul Seedsman	Concussion	Ongoing
Rory Sloane	Knee	Season
Brodie Smith	Concussion	TBA
Zac Taylor	Thumb	1 week
Riley Thilthorpe	Knee	Test
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

Stand-in captain Smith and young forward McHenry will both be unavailable for round eight after entering concussion protocols. McPherson didn’t play in the SANFL on the weekend as he bids to return from a hamstring issue, meaning he's unlikely to come into senior considerations. Thilthorpe also was absent from the SANFL side having entered health and safety protocols, so he'll be in contention to return at the lower level pending a knee issue sustained prior to that. - Ben Somerford

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Joe Daniher	Shoulder	4-6 weeks
Eric Hipwood	Knee	1-2 weeks
Kai Lohmann	Ankle	5 weeks
Jaxon Prior	Knee	Test
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

Scan results for Daniher have come back positive with the key forward not requiring surgery on his injured shoulder. Prior avoided serious injury against the Swans and should be available to face West Coast after suffering a corked knee. - Michael Whiting

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
David Cuningham	Knee	TBC
Ed Curnow	Calf	TBC
George Hewett	Calf	Test
Josh Honey	Knee	Test
Caleb Marchbank	Knee	TBC
Oscar McDonald	Back	TBC
Mitch McGovern	Hamstring	10-12 weeks
Luke Parks	Foot	TBC
Marc Pittonet	Knee	7-11 weeks
Liam Stocker	Shoulder	TBC
Zac Williams	Achilles	Test
Lewis Young	Suspended	Round 9
Updated: May 4, 2022

Early prognosis

The Blues will be without McGovern for a further three months after he reaggravated a hamstring injury. But the side could regain Hewett and Williams from minor knocks this weekend. Stocker will miss the next fortnight. - Riley Beveridge

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Charlie Dean	Foot	6 weeks
Jamie Elliott	Shoulder	3-4 weeks
Brodie Grundy	Knee	10-12 weeks
Ash Johnson	Hamstring	5-6 weeks
Will Kelly	Hip	3-4 weeks
Nathan Kreuger	Shoulder	12+ weeks
Brayden Maynard	Hand	Available
Nathan Murphy	Ankle	Available
Jordan Roughead	Finger	2-3 weeks
Tom Wilson	Back	TBC
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

Collingwood experienced a week of injury carnage, losing Brodie Grundy and Nathan Kreuger to long-term injuries on Anzac Day, before dealing with a wave of gastro sweeping through the club. Key defender Jordan Roughead has been in non-contact training but is still a few weeks away after undergoing finger surgery last month, while Charlie Dean isn’t expected to return for at least six weeks due to an ongoing foot issue. Tom Wilson hurt his back in the VFL last Monday and will be assessed. Nathan Murphy is available for selection after recovering from pre-season ankle surgery. Jamie Elliott is on track for an earlier than first thought return from shoulder surgery.  - Josh Gabelich

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Nik Cox	Ankle	TBC
Michael Hurley	Hip	Indefinite
Harrison Jones	Ankle	Test
Kyle Langford	Hamstring	2-4 weeks
Andrew Phillips	Hamstring	Test
Will Snelling	Calf	2-3 weeks
James Stewart	Calf	1-2 weeks
Jake Stringer	Hamstring	3-4 weeks
Patrick Voss	Foot	4-6 weeks
Tex Wanganeen	Ankle	Test
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

Stringer will miss a month with another hamstring strain, while Cox had to be substituted out of the loss to the Bulldogs with an ankle issue. All Bombers fans are keen to see Jones back but he was kept out of the VFL last week as they take a cautious approach with his ankle injury. The same applied for Wanganeen, who didn't play at VFL level last week. - Cal Twomey

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Blake Acres	H&S protocols	TBA
Travis Colyer	H&S protocols	TBA
Sean Darcy	Concussion	Test
Neil Erasmus	Concussion	Test
Nat Fyfe	Back	3-5 weeks
Joel Hamling	Knee	Test
Rory Lobb	H&S protocols	TBA
Matthew Johnson	Foot/ankle	3 weeks
Matt Taberner	Hamstring	2-4 weeks
Joel Western	Hamstring	TBA
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

Heath Chapman and Hayden Young will be available again after missing two games in health and safety protocols, but Acres, Colyer and Lobb have all entered those protocols following the Geelong game, so will miss Friday's match against North Melbourne. Fremantle is confident Darcy will return to face the Kangaroos after concussion. Taberner will be out for several more weeks due to a hamstring injury, while Fyfe is starting to make good progress in his recovery from back surgery. – Ben Somerford

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Jon Ceglar	Foot	6-9 weeks
Toby Conway	Hip	TBC
Jack Henry	Foot	TBC
Max Holmes	Ankle	TBC
Sam Menegola	Knee	Test
Quinton Narkle	Ankle	TBC
Gary Rohan	Back and hip	TBC
Sam Simpson	Concussion	TBC
Rhys Stanley	Ankle	Test
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

Holmes underwent ankle surgery on Monday after suffering a syndesmosis injury against Fremantle and will spend some time on the sidelines. Patrick Dangerfield is expected to return against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday after missing the past fortnight due to a corked calf. The Brownlow medallist trained on Monday and is on track to head north. Henry remains a day-to-day proposition after injuring his foot on Easter Monday. The young defender has found some improvement, but his return remains unclear at this stage. Menegola and Stanley will be tested later in the week. Stanley hurt his ankle late against the Dockers, while Menegola has been experiencing some knee soreness. - Josh Gabelich

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Connor Budarick	Ankle	Test
Ben King	Knee	Season
Will Powell	Hamstring	Test
Bodhi Uwland	Back	Indefinite
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

Powell has made good progress from the hamstring injury he suffered against Brisbane and only needs to get through main training on Wednesday to put his hand up for selection. Budarick has bounced back quicker than expected after his setback against Collingwood and will also need to prove his fitness at the main session. - Michael Whiting

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Jack Buckley	Knee	12-14 weeks
Brent Daniels	Foot	1-2 weeks
Phil Davis	Hamstring	7-8 weeks
Jacob Hopper	Knee	7-8 weeks
Daniel Lloyd	Shoulder	3-5 weeks
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

Good news for the Giants with their lengthy injury list finally dwindling and no new names appearing. Conor Stone returned through the VFL at the weekend, as did Zach Sproule. Daniels is also closing in on a return. - Michael Whiting

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Changkuoth Jiath	Hamstring	1 week
Mitch Lewis	Hamstring/illness	1-2 weeks
Ben McEvoy	Neck	10 weeks
Tom Phillips	Ankle	8 weeks
Ned Reeves	Shoulder	TBC
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

Jiath and Lewis have been ruled out of Saturday night's clash against Essendon after missing the past fortnight with hamstring strains. Conor Nash remains in the hunt to play after scans ruled out a quad strain against Melbourne. There is still no return date for young ruckman Reeves, who dislocated his shoulder on Easter Monday. The club is still waiting to see if he can regain a full range of motion and strength in his shoulder. Phillips will be sidelined for the next two months after undergoing ankle surgery following an incident at training. - Josh Gabelich

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Michael Hibberd	Calf	TBC
Blake Howes	Foot	10-12 weeks
Christian Salem	Knee	3 weeks
Joel Smith	Ankle	8-10 weeks
Daniel Turner	Foot	Test
Taj Woewodin	Concussion	1-2 weeks
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

The Demons will regain a host of players – including Luke Jackson, Alex Neal-Bullen, Harrison Petty, Kysaiah Pickett and Tom Sparrow, as well as coach Simon Goodwin – from the AFL's health and safety protocols. Hibberd has had a minor setback to his calf injury and will miss more time, while Smith will undergo surgery to fix an ankle problem and will be sidelined for at least two months. - Riley Beveridge

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Miller Bergman	Shoulder	TBC
Aidan Corr	Illness	Test
Ben Cunnington	Testicular cancer	Indefinite
Eddie Ford	Ankle	3-4 weeks
Josh Goater	Concussion	1-2 weeks
Aaron Hall	Hamstring	1-2 weeks
Nick Larkey	Suspension	Round 9
Jared Polec	Foot	3-4 weeks
Phoenix Spicer	Hamstring	3-4 weeks
Tristan Xerri	Foot	3 weeks
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

The Kangaroos should regain Corr from a non-COVID illness, but will lose young trio Bergman, Ford and Goater for the next period. Larkey is suspended, but Jed Anderson returned from a hamstring injury through the VFL last week. - Riley Beveridge

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Miles Bergman	Virus	2 weeks
Charlie Dixon	Ankle	Assess
Orazio Fantasia	Knee	2-3 weeks
Mitch Georgiades	Calf	Assess
Scott Lycett	Shoulder	12 weeks
Trent McKenzie	Knee	6-8 weeks
Josh Sinn	Groin	TBC
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

Gun forward Dixon has made rapid progress, joining in competitive training drills last week and is set to play in the SANFL as he builds up for an AFL return in the near future. Fellow key forward Georgiades is in doubt for round eight after calf tightness in the win over St Kilda, while Bergman has missed the past two games due to a virus and is expected to miss a few more. Fantasia is also getting closer to a return as he increases his training loads. – Ben Somerford

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Tom Brown	Corked calf	Test
Josh Caddy	Hamstring	3-5 weeks
Thomson Dow	Thigh	Test
Dustin Martin	Personal	Test
Marlion Pickett	Hamstring	Test
Dion Prestia	Ankle/Achilles/Illness	Test
Hugo Ralpsmith	Ribs	Test
Samson Ryan	Achilles	1-2 weeks
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

Richmond's injury room is set to be a lot freer this week, with a host of players – including possibly Martin – available for selection. Given Prestia's lengthy injury history, the club is likely to be cautious with the important midfielder, especially as he has been unable to come into the club due to illness. Richmond's VFL side had a bye last weekend, giving the likes of Dow, Cumberland and Brown an extra week to recover. Ryan has minor Achilles tendonitis. – Sarah Black

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Jack Bytel	Knee	TBC
Hunter Clark	Shoulder	Test
Nick Coffield	ACL	Season
Dan Hannebery	Calf	6 weeks
Jack Hayes	Knee	Season
Rowan Marshall	Quad	Test
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

St Kilda returned from far north Queensland with a clean bill of health and is expecting ruckman Marshall to return against Melbourne on Sunday, after missing the clash against Port Adelaide due to a corked quad. Bytel sent a scare through the Sandringham camp on Sunday when he hobbled off with a knee injury late in the third quarter, but the club has cleared him of structural damage. Clark is expected to return in the VFL this weekend after undergoing shoulder surgery following a collision with Darcy Parish in the AAMI Community Series. Jack Billings made a successful return from hamstring issues on the VFL on Sunday. - Josh Gabelich

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Harry Cunningham	Abdominal	Test
Robbie Fox	Hamstring	1-2 weeks
Tom Hickey	Knee	Test
Lachlan McAndrew	Hamstring	Test
Paddy McCartin	Concussion	TBC
Logan McDonald	Concussion	TBC
Sam Naismith	Knee	Season
Angus Sheldrick	Knee	6 weeks
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

McCartin and McDonald need to only pass their final concussion tests to be available, while Hickey has progressed much quicker than first thought and needs to get through Thursday's main training to put his name up for selection to face Gold Coast. Cunningham is still in doubt and will be tested later in the week. - Michael Whiting

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Oscar Allen	Foot	TBC
Tom Barass	Hamstring	Test
Campbell Chesser	Ankle	Inactive
Tom Cole	Ankle	Inactive
Luke Edwards	Groin	TBA
Brady Hough	Back	Test
Tom Joyce	Ankle	TBA
Zac Langdon	Ankle	TBA
Nic Naitanui	Knee	9-11 weeks
Jackson Nelson	H&S protocols	TBC
Xavier O'Neill	Knee	TBC
Willie Rioli	Hamstring	TBC
Dom Sheed	Ankle	3 weeks
Alex Witherden	H&S protocols	TBA
Bailey Williams	Hamstring	1 week
Elliot Yeo	Concussion	TBC
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

Nelson and Witherden are the latest Eagles to enter health and safety protocols with fears of a few more. Yeo will miss another game due to concussion, while Barrass seems likely to return after a minor hamstring issue forced him to be a late withdrawal in round seven. Rioli will spend some time on the sidelines after a hamstring strain suffered against Richmond, while O'Neill will see a specialist after picking up a knee issue in the same game. Ruckman Williams has been ruled out too, leaving the Eagles short in the ruck department.  – Ben Somerford

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Josh Bruce	Knee	4-5 weeks
Sam Darcy	Foot	1-2 weeks
Tim English	Hamstring	1 weeks
Riley Garcia	Knee	TBC
Mitch Hannan	Concussion	Test
Lachie Hunter	Personal	TBC
Jason Johannisen	Calf	2-3 weeks
Alex Keath	Hamstring	Test
Toby McLean	Knee	5-6 weeks
Mitch Wallis	Foot	TBC
Updated: May 3, 2022

Early prognosis

Wallis was substituted out of the Bulldogs win over Essendon with a foot issue that will be assessed this week. English and Keath will be assessed this week as they get back from their hamstring injuries. Darcy is continuing to build up his load and is likely to be seen about mid-season at VFL level. - Cal Twomey

*Placed on the club's long-term injury list