Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Jonathon BeechCalfTest
Brad CrouchHamstring1-3 weeks
Ben DavisFootTBC
Tom DoedeeKnee3-4 weeks
Cam Ellis-Yolmen *KneeSeason
Dean GoreConcussionTest
Riley KnightAchillesTest
Jake LeverHamstringTest
Paul SeedsmanGroin2-3 weeks
Rory SloaneFractured eye socketTest
Scott ThompsonShoulder1-3 weeks
Taylor WalkerHamstringTest
Updated: Friday, March 17

The track report

Walker and Sloane will be named for Sunday's round one clash with Greater Western Sydney after completing all of training on Thursday. Both players have a couple hurdles to overcome, but the Crows expect them to play. Lever also trained, but the club is yet to decide if he plays in the AFL or a SANFL trial this weekend. Lever missed all of the JLT Community Series with a hamstring injury. Crouch and Thompson were also involved in Thursday's training session. Thompson is set to play in that SANFL trial, while Crouch will be held back another week. Seedsman trained away from the main group and ran laps by himself. His recovery from a groin injury has been slightly slower than expected. - Lee Gaskin

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Jarrod BerryKnee1 week
Allen ChristensenCollarbone6 weeks
Jono FreemanCheekbone1-2 weeks
Jack FrostSuspendedEligible for round 2
Hugh McCluggageAnkle1-2 weeks
Marco PaparoneHamstring2-3 weeks
Josh SchacheKnee1-2 weeks
Sam SkinnerKneeTBC
Updated: Friday, March 17

The track report

There are a few niggles, but aside from Christensen, the list is in good shape. Berry and Freeman are chances to play in a NEAFL practice match on March 25, while Schache and McCluggage resume training next week and should only be a week or two from entering selection calculations. - Michael Whiting

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Dylan BuckleyHipAvailable
Ciaran ByrneACLTBC
Daniel GorringeAchillesAvailable
Sam Petrevski-SetonQuad2-3 weeks
Andrew Phillips FootTBC
Updated: Friday, March 17

The track report

Petrevski-Seton sustained the injury at training last month, causing him to miss the JLT Community Series, but he is back in full training and should be ready soon. Buckley and Gorringe, injured during the pre-season, are available for selection. Byrne is a long way off, while Phillips is making solid progress. - Howard Kotton

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Jordan De GoeyBroken hand2-3 weeks
Jamie ElliottAnkle1-2 weeks
Levi GreenwoodHip4-5weeks
Ben Sinclair *Hamstring8-12 weeks 
Daniel WellsCalf2-4 weeks
Updated: Monday, March 20

The track report

Skipper Scott Pendlebury seems certain to take on the reigning premiers, the Western Bulldogs, barring another flare-up of the Achilles tightness that sidelined him as a precautionary measure in the final JLT Community Series game. Livewire forward Jamie Elliott will miss round one and is in doubt for round two after injuring his ankle in a training incident. De Goey is out for 2-3 weeks after breaking his hand when playing with his dog. The date for ex-Roo Wells' long-awaited debut for the Pies continues to drift. - Ben Collins

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Tom BellchambersKneeTest
Aaron Francis AnkleTest
Josh GreenFootTest
Cale HookerHamstringTest
Jayden LaverdeAnkle12 weeks
Matthew LeuenbergerHamstring3-4 weeks
David Myers *Finger4-6 weeks
Jordan Ridley *Back12 weeks
Updated: Friday, March 17

The track report

The Bombers are hopeful Hooker will be fit to play in round one, with the key forward needing to get through a VFL practice match on Friday. Bellchambers and Green will also play in the game as they push their claims for an opening round berth. Losing promising youngster Laverde to a serious ankle injury was a big blow, while draftee Jordan Ridley has been placed on the long-term injury list after being diagnosed with a partial stress fracture in his back. - Ben Guthrie

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Michael Apeness  Knee5-7 weeks
Hayden Ballantyne  Hamstring 8-10 weeks
Harley Bennell Calf TBA
Zac Clarke Knee TBA
Josh DelucaGroin4-6 weeks
Ryan NyhuisShin4-5 weeks
Alex Pearce  LegTBA
Luke RyanAnkle1-2 weeks
Matthew UebergangHamstringTBA
Updated: Tuesday, March 21

The track report

Hayden Ballantyne is walking again following hamstring surgery while big man Michael Apeness is back working in the gym and aiming to start running in the next week or so after copping a heavy knock to the PCL in his knee. Harley Bennell has progressed to sprinting and one-on-one work at training and could rejoin the main group in the next few weeks. Luke Ryan should make his playing return next week after a high ankle sprain and bout of tonsillitis. – Travis King

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Corey GregsonFootTBC
Jamaine JonesHamstring1-2 weeks
Jake KolodjashnijGroinTest
Scott SelwoodToeTest
Updated: Friday, March 17

The track report

Jake Kolodjashnij has had an interrupted pre-season and is in doubt for the opening round given he did not appear in the JLT Community Series. Cam Guthrie will tune-up in the VFL after hurting his calf in the opening pre-season game. Scott Selwood has had a frustrating build-up with a toe injury and again, would appear doubtful given his lack of match practice. Otherwise, with scans clearing Mitch Duncan and Tom Stewart of hamstring injuries after the weekend, the Cats are in good health and shape for the season-opener against Fremantle. - Peter Ryan

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Sam DayHipSeason
Michael RischitelliKneeIndefinite
Updated: Friday, March 17

The track report

This is the shortest list the Suns have seen in many years. Jarrod Harbrow (ankle), Trent McKenzie (calf) and Brandon Matera (eye) are expecting to play a NEAFL practice match on Saturday (March 18). Harbrow will need more match conditioning before being available for senior selection. - Michael Whiting

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Stephen ConiglioAnkle5 weeks
Aidan CorrHandTBC
Matt de BoerHamstring2-3 weeks
Brett DeledioCalfTBC
Tom Downie *IllnessIndefinite
Updated: Tuesday, March 21

The track report

Coniglio's loss is huge for the Giants but they're hopeful he can make it back earlier than predicted, while Corr's could be longer than the 1-2 weeks if his hand doesn't respond in the splint he's been given. Deledio isn't likely to feature in the first month of the season and could be missing even longer given the club will take every precaution with the veteran. Midfielder de Boer could have helped fill the void left by Coniglio but he'll need 1-2 games in the NEAFL before he's ready to play seniors in round 2-3. Downie will take time away from the club to deal with an ongoing mental illness with no timeline on his return. - Adam Curley

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Jonathan CeglarACL12 weeks
Jonathan O'RourkeHamstringIndefinite
Updated: Friday, March 17

The track report

The Hawks enter 2017 with almost a full list to choose from. In some ways, the early exit from last year's finals was a bonus in that it allowed the playing group to freshen up after several gruelling campaigns. Ceglar is making strong progress and now appears certain to play before the end of the season, but O'Rourke has now injured both hamstrings this pre-season. The Hawks are considering following the same path they did with Cyril Rioli in 2014, holding him out of football for several months to allow him to rebuild and rehab without the pressure of returning to play. - Ashley Browne

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Sam FrostToeTest
Colin GarlandKneeSeason
Michael HibberdAchilles2-3 weeks
Liam HulettHip3-4 weeks
Jay Kennedy-HarrisArm2-3 weeks
Mitch King *Knee5 weeks
Aaron vandenBergFoot4-6 weeks
Josh WagnerFibula2-3 weeks
Mitch WhiteAnkle2-3 weeks
Updated: Wednesday, March 22

The track report

More will be known on the status of Hibberd, Garlett and Kent after they play in Sunday's VFL practice match at Casey Fields. Rookie Joel Smith remains in contention for round one, but the Demons will be cautious with his return. Mitch King is on the long-term injury list but is nearing his return to the field after rupturing his ACL early last year. Given his lack of match practice, Frost will play in the VFL in the first round of the season. - Ben Guthrie

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Paul Ahern*KneeSeason
Ben CunningtonSuspendedEligible for round 2
Ben JacobsFoot3-5 weeks
Oscar JunkerBroken tibia11-13 weeks
Mason WoodHamstring2-3 weeks
Updated: Thursday, March 23

The track report

Expect the Roos to be extra cautious with Jacobs, as it is the second time he has fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The midfielder had surgery to minimise the risk of recurrence, but the club will be keen to avoid any further setbacks. Anderson and Garner are expected to be available for round one. The only other Roo to miss the season opener against West Coast is Ben Cunnington who will be serving a one-match ban. - Nat Edwards

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Matthew BroadbentHamstringTest
Dougal HowardKnee3-5 weeks
Jarman ImpeySuspendedEligible for round 2
Aidyn JohnsonSuspendedEligible for round 2
Nathan KrakouerSuspendedEligible for round 2
Jasper PittardHamstring3-4 weeks
Updated: Thursday, March 23

The track report

Defender Matthew Broadbent is expected to come straight back into the side for the round one clash with Sydney despite missing the JLT Community Series. Pittard should be back in round two or three. Second-year ruckman Dougal Howard is making good progress from a torn ACL. Forward Angus Monfries (shoulder) and defender Logan Austin (ankle) played a SANFL trial game last weekend. - Lee Gaskin

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Shaun Hampson *BackIndefinite
Steve MorrisKnee1 week
Updated: Friday, March 17

The track report

Morris is aiming to return for the second round of VFL matches before pushing to be available for round four in the AFL. Draftee Jack Graham is available for selection after a four-week hamstring injury but will be eased in. Young forward Daniel Rioli is on light duties this week after suffering a corked thigh against Collingwood on March 11. - Nathan Schmook

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Nick CoughlanFootIndefinite
Leigh MontagnaCalf1 week
Bailey RiceFinger3-4 weeks
Hugh GoddardAchillesTBC
Updated: Friday, March 17

The track report

Coughlan has a stress fracture in his right foot and will be out indefinitely, wearing a moonboot for at least the next two weeks. Montagna's calf injury is becoming a concern, given he was originally slated to play in the JLT Community Series but has now been forced to push back his return to round two. Goddard is running as he rehabilitates a torn left Achilles tendon, but is not expected to contend for selection until mid-season. - Nathan Schmook

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Darcy CameronFinger1 week
Isaac HeeneyGlandular feverTBC
Kieren JackHipTest
Alex Johnson *KneeIndefinite
Jarrad McVeighCalf4 weeks
Tom Papley *Knee1 week
Gary Rohan *Back3 weeks
Updated: Tuesday, March 21

The track report

Heeney's illness is a big worry for the Swans. He could be back early in the season, but severe cases of glandular fever can last for months. McVeigh's calf is also a concern but the former co-captain is extremely thorough with his rehab and won't need much training before he's ready to play. Rohan and Papley will need at least a month of NEAFL after very limited pre-season campaigns, and Johnson will be targeting the second half of the season for his comeback from a fifth knee reconstruction. - Adam Curley

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Matthew AllenHamstring3-4 weeks
Tom ColeQuad1-2 weeks
Scott Lycett *Shoulder8-10 weeks
Nic Naitanui *KneeLate 2017 season
Willie RioliHamstring5-6 weeks
Simon TunbridgeKneeMid-late 2017 season
Jake WatermanFoot8-10 weeks
Updated: Tuesday, March 21

The track report

Powerful young forward Matthew Allen could be back sooner than expected after suffering another hamstring strain, with initial fears he would be out for more than a month. In more positive news, Scott Lycett's recovery timeframe has shortened by two weeks after undergoing surgery on his dislocated shoulder this week. – Travis King

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

Tim EnglishShin sorenessTest
Josh PruddenACLTBC
Jack RedpathACLTBC
Jordan RougheadHamstring4-5 weeks
Roarke SmithACLSeason
Mitch WallisBroken leg4-5 weeks
Updated: Friday, March 24

The track report

The Dogs have finally received some good news on the injury front with Mitch Wallis ahead of schedule in his recovery from a badly broken leg he sustained last season. The 24-year-old has started running strongly at training and doesn't appeared to be hampered by his left leg. The return of premiership ruckman Jordan Roughead is less clear with Luke Beveridge saying he is yet to progress from jogging on his injured hamstring. First-year ruckman Tim English is battling shin soreness, but should be available for Footscray's last VFL practice match on April 1. - Ryan Davidson 

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