with Dr Peter Larkins

Doc Larkins, footy's first and most respected media medico, gives his take on the injury lists of all 18 AFL clubs. He writes exclusively every week for AFL.com.au.

The Doc says: There are no new concerns rising out of the weekend and no expected returns from their injury list. 

The Doc says:  The decision to repair Brown's plantar ligament means there is more predictable long-term success for the foot injury and opens up the possibility of a good pre-season starting in three months. It's an unusual decision to repair one in AFL circles but will give him the best chance of playing on. He will have a delayed start to training if he plays on but should be right to go by the start of December. Clarke sustained a shoulder injury on the weekend and required ligament repair for a dislocated AC joint – he will now focus on the pre-season. Moloney tried unsuccessfully to play last weekend after hamstring problems the week before but will now require a more traditional 3-4 week recovery, therefore it's unlikely he'll play again this year.

The Doc says: Carrazzo's season has been dogged by calf problems and the latest setback from round 19 will see him concentrate on recovery to ensure an uninterrupted pre-season. Judd's scans provided good news in that he doesn't require arthroscopic surgery for internal knee damage. Most grade two medial ligaments require 4-6 weeks recovery so the prospect of Judd playing again this year would have been determined on Carlton playing into the finals. Kreuzer has missed one after hurting his calf going into last week - it would be unlikely he would be risked. Garlett has bleeding in the bottom of his glute, which makes him prone to a glute injury unless treatment allows him to train freely - outside chance to play. Watson has a fracture in his left mid-foot and willmiss the rest of the season.

The Doc says:  Clarke has undergone surgery for ligament damage in his ankle sustained in a VFL match. The recovery time can be three months. Thomas has been training freely and is likely to make his long-awaited return to the VFL this weekend. Fasolo has made slow progress from his navicular surgery after round seven and will now focus on 2014. The Pies didn't have any new concerns from the weekend.

The Doc says:  Winderlich has been plagued by hamstring issues at the graft site from his knee reconstruction. It's the same problem a few players have had in the past, like Brent Prismall and Leigh Colbert. There are issues with inflammation of the scar tissue from his hamstring graft - I would say he would benefit from a long period of low intensity training and is unlikely to return this season. Hurley's ankle is a recurring problem and dates back to round four. It would make sense it's progressed slowly – he is also due to have scaphoid surgery at the end of the season. He is still a good prospect to return within the next week.

The Doc says:  Morabito is not making the expected progress from his LARS/hamstring/ACL hybrid operation from January 2 and the Dockers have made the decision he's not going to play until next year so he can concentrate on having a more low-level pre-season. Ibbotson will still need to pass a vigorous fitness test and not pull up sore before playing. They're trying to make sure McPharlin doesn't break down before the finals so they're protecting him – he is unlikely to play before round 23. Hill was a late withdrawal with hamstring tightness and onbalance, you wouldn't risk a hamstring at training – in the interest of the finals, you'd expect again for them to be conservative. Michie tore a meniscus in a WAFL game and the recovery is 6-8 weeks. 

The Doc says:  It would make sense for Hawkins to miss the trip to Perth with the chronic disc problem he's managing in his back because long flights can stir things up. They may take the conservative approach this week to allow him to get a bit more in tune for round 22. Duncan will face the normal concussion protocols – the average sees players missing the following week so it's more likely he won't play. Walker had a low-grade wrist sprain last week but is considered a reasonable prospect to play. Chapman has had two VFL hit-outs and will push for a senior return within the next 1-2 weeks. 

The Doc says: Despite returning to senior football, Bock has had ongoing leg soreness and will now have the mental rod and screws removed in the hope this will settle it down. Sexton dislocated his left shoulder in an awkward tackle and has undergone season-ending reconstructive surgery. Rischitelli and Hunt returned in the NEAFL – Rischitelli's fitness should be good because he didn't have a leg injury so he's more likely than Hunt to play seniors this week.

The Doc says: At this time of the year, sides not in the finals start their medical management programs and start looking to 2014. Players requiring end-of-season surgery such as Townsend and Phillips will have already been sent to have their work done now to prepare for the pre-season.

The Doc says:  Hodge has only missed one week following surgery on a broken thumb and it would be most unusual for him to play this week. I'd expect he may miss one more before returning with a protective guard. Franklin is positive he'll play and is likely to face a fitness test but given his past hamstring history, the Hawks won't take any risks. Birchall is still recovering from a round 13 PCL tear and whilst he is lacking match conditioning, he may still require further preparation to be fit for the finals.

The Doc says:  Frawley had a round 18 hamstring injury and will be tested this week. Dawes didn't get through testing last week and is still at high risk of reinjuring the calf so he won't be risked unless he completes vigorous training. Jamar last played in round 11 but his injury should be recovered enough for him to be available if required.

The Doc says: Ziebell has a medial ankle strain, which normally takes longer to settle than a traditional ankle sprain. He will be treated all week but will be an outside chance at best. Delaney was expected to settle following his round 18 toe injury but has now been ruled out for the rest of the season in order to recover for the pre-season.

The Doc says:  Cassisi has had ongoing concerns with his hamstrings throughout the season with three previous interruptions. Port will certainly not rush him back given his history this year. 

The Doc says:  The Tigers are pretty confident King will get through a fitness test and is likely to return. Edwards' hamstring is a new injury – he was a late withdrawal and I expect he'll have a light week at training and not risk a reoccurrence by playing so close to the finals. 

The Doc says:  Maister had surgery on his left lateral hamstring tendon in June and was expected to miss up to eight weeks. He faces a fitness test this week but is yet to play in the VFL, which is the same as Gilbert, who has been out since round six with a knee. I would be surprised if either played seniors on the back of lengthy injuries. The Saints don't need to take any risks given they have three games to go. Koschitzke hasn't fully trained so it's very much an emotional decision as to whether he gets to play his 200^th – from an injury point of view, he's still high risk to break down. The best situation would be for him to play as the substitute in round 23.

The Doc says:  There are no new problems from the weekend. Reid is still nursing his injured quad, which is a reoccurring injury from round 15. I expect him – and Goodes – to play round 23. Jetta has had chronic shin problems all year and it remains unlikely he will have enough match conditioning prior to the finals to return.

The Doc says:  LeCras damaged rib cartilage against Essendon and finished the game but is unlikely to play this week. Shuey hurt his hamstring for the second time in round 17 and was due back in round 21 so he's a likely inclusion. 

The Doc says: It's still early for an older player like Boyd to come back from a calf injury – he would have to complete high-intensity fitness testing before being risked.