THE LATEST on Sam Menegola, Paddy Ryder, Jake Lever and more.

Check out your club's injury updates after round 18.

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Luke Brown	Knee	1-2 weeks
Andrew McPherson	Knee	Season
Josh Rachele	Hip	1 week
Paul Seedsman	Concussion	Season
Rory Sloane	Knee	Season
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

McPherson suffered damage to his left posterior cruciate ligament in the SANFL and will be in a brace for the next four to six weeks, ending his season. Brown is experiencing discomfort in his knee and is expected to train late this week or early next week. Rachele will be sidelined again this week but is not expected to miss any more matches thereafter with his hip injury. – Nathan Schmook 

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Marcus Adams	Corked thigh	Test
Jarrod Berry	Hamstring	Test
Jaxon Prior	Quad	Test
Daniel Rich	Hamstring	Test
Dayne Zorko	Hamstring	Test
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

It should be a clean bill of health for the Lions ahead of hosting Gold Coast on Saturday night. Zorko, Rich, Berry, Prior and Adams all took part in Tuesday's light session. Adams did the least of the five, but that's often the case early in the week. All will take part in Thursday's main session to prove their fitness. – Michael Whiting

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Jordan Boyd	Foot	5-9 weeks
Jack Carroll	Soreness	1 week
David Cuningham	Knee	TBC
Ed Curnow	Hamstring	3-5 weeks
Will Hayes	Suspended	Round 21
Caleb Marchbank	Knee	Test
Jack Martin	Calf	1 week
Oscar McDonald	Back	Season
Matt Owies	Calf	1 week
Luke Parks	Foot	Season
Sam Philp	Foot	Season
Zac Williams	Calf	4-5 weeks
Updated: July 20, 2022

Early prognosis

The Blues finally have some bodies returning, with Mitch McGovern (hamstring) and Marc Pittonet (knee) both a chance to return to senior level after playing VFL last week. Marchbank could also return this weekend, but Carroll, Martin and Owies are another week away. – Riley Beveridge

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Aiden Begg	Thumb	Test
Charlie Dean	Foot	Season
Jordan De Goey	Quad	Test
Brodie Grundy	Knee	Test
Harvey Harrison	Hamstring	2 weeks
Nathan Kreuger	Shoulder	Season
Jack Madgen	Thumb	2-3 weeks
Reef McInnes	Shoulder	Season
Isaac Quaynor	H&S protocols	Test
Tom Wilson	Back	Season
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

Taylor Adams is set to be available after missing the win over Adelaide due to concussion protocols, while Quaynor is also on track to be fit to face Essendon after entering health and safety protocols. De Goey will need to be prove his fitness after missing the past two games due to a quad injury. Grundy is also closing in on a return after injuring his PCL on Anzac Day. – Josh Gabelich

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Kaine Baldwin	Calf	Test
Nik Cox	Ankle	2-3 weeks
Tom Cutler	Quad	1 week
Aaron Francis	Hamstring	Test
Darcy Parish	Calf	2-3 weeks
Archie Perkins	Calf	Test
Devon Smith	Knee	Indefinite
Tex Wanganeen	Foot	Season
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

The Bombers should regain Perkins for Sunday's clash against Collingwood, with the young gun having missed three straight wins due to his calf injury. Baldwin (calf) and Francis (hamstring) are also close to returns, almost certainly via the VFL. Ben Hobbs hurt his shoulder in the win over Gold Coast but played on, while Massimo D'Ambrosio featured in the VFL after his corked quad against Brisbane in round 17. – Dejan Kalinic

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Jye Amiss	Kidney	Inactive
Joel Hamling	Oblique	TBA
Alex Pearce	Calf	Test
Sam Switkowski	Back	TBA
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

Pearce completed a positive session on Sunday and the Dockers are confident he will be available after missing two matches, with a fitness test looming this week. The Dockers hope to have a timeframe for Switkowski and Hamling's returns next week. – Nathan Schmook

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Toby Conway	Concussion	Test
Francis Evans	Knee	Test
Shaun Higgins	Knee	TBC
Flynn Kroeger	Glandular fever	TBC
Sam Menegola	Concussion	1-2 weeks
Tom Stewart	Suspension	Round 20
Cooper Whyte	Groin	TBC
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

Parfitt is set to be available after a couple of false starts in the past fortnight after recovering from a broken hand. He was supposed to be available last weekend before entering the AFL’s health and safety protocols. Menegola’s frustrating season has hit another hurdle due to the concussion he copped in the tackle that led to Will Hayes’ suspension. Higgins is still working his way back from an arthroscope on his knee, while Evans is a chance to be available after injuring his knee during his five-goal performance against Casey in the VFL. – Josh Gabelich

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Connor Budarick	Knee	Season
Alex Davies	Knee	Test
Joel Jeffrey	Knee	Season
Ben King	Knee	Season
Wil Powell	Ankle	Season
Mal Rosas jnr	Hamstring	Test
Bodhi Uwland	Back	Indefinite
Lachie Weller	Knee	Season
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

Rosas jnr is a week ahead of his original diagnosis and a chance to be available this weekend. His strained the hamstring against Richmond less than two weeks ago but has progressed well. Davies just has to get through main training on Wednesday afternoon to put his hand up.– Michael Whiting

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Ryan Angwin	Leg	5-6 weeks
Jack Buckley	Knee	2-3 weeks
Finn Callaghan	Foot	TBC
Brent Daniels	Hamstring	TBC
Phil Davis	Hamstring	Season
Matt de Boer	Concussion	TBC
Josh Fahey	Shoulder	Season
Bobby Hill	Testicular cancer	Indefinite
Connor Idun	Foot	4-6 weeks
Josh Kelly	Concussion	1 week
Adam Kennedy	Concussion	Test
Harry Perryman	Ribs	TBC
Conor Stone	Hamstring	2-3 weeks
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

Kelly will miss Sunday's match against Carlton due to concussion protocols and Idun may not make it back this season after breaking his foot. After missing last week's game against Brisbane, Whitfield will need to prove his fitness. Kennedy should return from concussion. – Michael Whiting

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Lachlan Bramble	Back	Season
Tyler Brockman	Shoulder	Season
Connor Downie	Hamstring	Test
Sam Frost	Knee	Season
Seamus Mitchell	Abkle	Season
Chad Wingard	Hamstring	Season
James Worpel	Shoulder	Season
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

Wingard was ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury last week, joining Frost who has taken longer than first thought to recover from the knee injury that has sidelined him since before the mid-season bye. Jack Gunston has missed the past fortnight due to personal reasons but the club is hopeful he will return for Saturday’s game against North Melbourne in Hobart. – Josh Gabelich

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Blake Howes	Foot	Test
Jake Lever	Shoulder	Test
Tom McDonald	Ankle	6-8 weeks
Clayton Oliver	Thumb	Test
Harrison Petty	H&S protocols	Test
Deakyn Smith	Jaw	3 weeks
Joel Smith	Ankle	1 week
Daniel Turner	Face	Test
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

The Demons will put star duo Lever and Oliver through fitness tests later this week to determine their availability for Saturday night's clash with the Dogs. Howes and Turner should finally return through the VFL, while Petty will clear the AFL's health and safety protocols. – Riley Beveridge

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Miller Bergman	Shoulder	Season
Charlie Comben	Leg	1 week
Ben Cunnington	Testicular cancer	Indefinite
Aaron Hall	Quad	Test
Kyron Hayden	Groin	1 week
Nick Larkey	Heel	Test
Will Phillips	Illness	Season
Jared Polec	Foot	Season
Tristan Xerri	Shoulder	Season
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

The Kangaroos will put Larkey through a fitness test later this week to determine his availability for Saturday's clash with the Hawks, but it appears unlikely he will play. However, Hall should return while Comben and Hayden are closing on comebacks. Jackson Archer (hip) and Kayne Turner (concussion) returned through the VFL last week. – Riley Beveridge

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Trent Dumont	Calf	Assess
Orazio Fantasia	Quad	Assess
Lachie Jones	Hamstring	Assess
Scott Lycett	Shoulder	TBC
Jake Pasini	Knee	Season
Josh Sinn	Groin	Assess
Brynn Teakle	Collarbone	Assess
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

Lycett has left hospital and is recovering after a procedure to wash out his shoulder, which showed signs of potential infection. The ruckman will require a course of antibiotics and doesn't have a timeline to return yet. Fellow ruckman Teakle is expected to be available after training fully last week, alongside Fantasia, Dumont and Jones. Sinn will push for a SANFL return after a long lay-off. – Nathan Schmook

PLAYER
Mate Colina	H&S Protocols	Test
Josh Gibcus	Shoulder	Test
Kane Lambert	Achilles/hip	3-4 weeks
Tom Lynch	Hamstring	1-2 weeks
Dustin Martin	Hamstring	1-2 weeks
Jack Ross	Knee	Test
Ivan Soldo	Thumb	1-2 weeks
Sydney Stack	Cheekbone	Test
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

Richmond has already ruled out star pair Lynch and Martin, who suffered hamstring injuries in rounds 16 and 17 respectively. Gibcus was subbed off with a shoulder complaint but is a chance to hold his spot, while Soldo is likely to return following a week on the sidelines. – Sarah Black

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Hunter Clark	Nasal fracture	Test
Nick Coffield	ACL	Season
Jack Hayes	Knee	Season
Dougal Howard	Knee	1-2 weeks
Daniel McKenzie	Calf	4-6 weeks
Paddy Ryder	Calf	4-6 weeks
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

Ryder might have played his final game of the season after straining his calf against the Western Bulldogs last Friday night. The loss of the veteran ruckman is a major blow for the Saints. McKenzie is also facing a race against the clock to be fit in time to play again this season after straining his calf again. Clark is a chance to return for the trip to Western Australia to face West Coast after suffering a broken nose against Carlton in round 16. – Josh Gabelich

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Peter Ladhams	Thumb	3 weeks
Sam Naismith	Knee	Season
Colin O'Riordan	Hip	TBC
Marc Sheather	Ankle	TBC
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

Sheather is still non-weight bearing and will see his surgeon this week after suffering the injury six weeks ago. O'Riordan is still not running and can only strengthen the muscles around the hip. - Michael Whiting

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Oscar Allen	Foot	Inactive
Campbell Chesser	Ankle	Inactive
Tom Cole	Ankle	Inactive
Luke Edwards	Groin	Inactive
Callum Jamieson	Adductor	Test
Tom Joyce	Ankle	TBC
Tim Kelly	Quad	Test
Jeremy McGovern	Ribs	TBC
Nic Naitanui	Knee	1-2 weeks
Jack Petruccelle	Hamstring	1 week
Dom Sheed	Shins	Season
Connor West	Achilles	Test
Elliot Yeo	Hamstring	1 week
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

Naitanui's immediate prospects will be decided after the weekend, with the possibility his knee injury could force him to the sidelines for the rest of the season. Yeo trained with the main group on Tuesday but will not be ticked off to return until round 20. Kelly is sore and didn't train as he recovers from a corked thigh. Jamieson has been managing groin awareness and was substituted out in round 19. West will return to training later this week after strengthening his achilles and building his running loads. – Nathan Schmook

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Hayden Crozier	Ankle	2-3 weeks
Caleb Daniel	Knee	1-2 weeks
Taylor Duryea	Knee	2-3 weeks
Charlie Parker	Hamstring	4-6 weeks
Anthony Scott	Concussion	Test
Mitch Wallis	Foot	Season
Updated: July 19, 2022

Early prognosis

The four Dogs who were unavailable for last week through health and safety protocols will be up for selection this week, but Daniel, Duryea and Crozier remain out of action. The club is working through Scott's return from concussion protocols. - Callum Twomey

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