After three losses in five games, Hawthorn's injury list clearly fits into the last category and is a significant factor in the premier coming back to the pack and falling two games behind ladder leader Port Adelaide.
Click here to see the full AFL injury list
In an injury ladder compiled by AFL.com.au, it is clear the Hawks have been among the hardest hit teams this season, with only the Brisbane Lions missing more experience from their team on a weekly basis.
With premiership stars Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Brian Lake and Brad Sewell sidelined, there has been an average of 620 games' experience missing for the Hawks each round in 2014.
The Lions top the injury ladder with an average of 703 games' experience missing each week, explaining some of the brutal losses coach Justin Leppitsch has endured in his first season.
Important players Daniel Rich, Matthew Leuenberger, Pearce Hanley and Tom Rockliff have all missed games at stages, with the total of 67 games missed for the team ranked No.3 across the League.
Highlighting the fact some injuries can be covered without a glitch, Geelong has had more players sidelined than any team this season, with 19 Cats missing a total of 92 games.
Losing Andrew Mackie, Steven Motlop, Allen Christensen no doubt hurts, but the majority of Geelong's injuries have been suffered by young players, with an average of 290 games' experience missing each week (ranked No.15).
Star Lion Daniel Rich suffered a season-ending knee injury in round three. Picture: AFL Media
Port Adelaide's injury list has been comparable across the first 10 rounds, with 19 players also sidelined at some stage.
The Power players have mostly suffered minor injuries, however, and it has been the less experienced end of the list most effected, with just 208 games' experience missing each week.
Just as injuries are not going to result in a team as strong as Hawthorn falling into the bottom half of the ladder, a healthy list alone is not going to be enough for the Western Bulldogs (ranked No.18 on the injury ladder) to climb into the top eight.
It is clear, however, that injuries are playing a significant role as the season moves beyond the bye rounds, with underperforming clubs Richmond and Adelaide also able to point to a mass of sidelined experience.
The question now is, how will the injury ladder look after 23 rounds, and how will that impact this year's finals series?
Twitter: @AFL_Nathan
The Power players have mostly suffered minor injuries, however, and it has been the less experienced end of the list most effected, with just 208 games' experience missing each week.
Just as injuries are not going to result in a team as strong as Hawthorn falling into the bottom half of the ladder, a healthy list alone is not going to be enough for the Western Bulldogs (ranked No.18 on the injury ladder) to climb into the top eight.
It is clear, however, that injuries are playing a significant role as the season moves beyond the bye rounds, with underperforming clubs Richmond and Adelaide also able to point to a mass of sidelined experience.
The question now is, how will the injury ladder look after 23 rounds, and how will that impact this year's finals series?
| CLUB | PLAYERS INJURED | TOTAL GAMES MISSED | TOTAL GAMES EXPERIENCE OF INJURED PLAYERS | AVERAGE GAMES EXPERIENCE MISSING PER GAME |
| Brisbane Lions | 15 | 67 | 1498 | 703 |
| Hawthorn | 12 | 57 | 1366 | 620 |
| Carlton | 14 | 45 | 1291 | 616 |
| Richmond | 15 | 46 | 1544 | 552 |
| Adelaide | 12 | 54 | 959 | 486 |
| Sydney Swans | 12 | 41 | 1426 | 454 |
| St Kilda | 18 | 54 | 1053 | 436 |
| Collingwood | 16 | 72 | 1110 | 393 |
| Essendon | 16 | 64 | 1523 | 392 |
| North Melbourne | 10 | 48 | 715 | 351 |
| West Coast | 11 | 34 | 1014 | 320 |
| Fremantle | 17 | 58 | 1047 | 296 |
| Geelong | 19 | 92 | 750 | 290 |
| Greater Western Sydney | 12 | 38 | 772 | 250 |
| Port Adelaide | 19 | 55 | 799 | 208 |
| Melbourne | 15 | 40 | 883 | 199 |
| Gold Coast | 11 | 50 | 358 | 196 |
| Western Bulldogs | 12 | 39 | 659 | 156 |
