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ADELAIDE

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Brad Crouch Groin 6-8 weeks
 Alex Keath Ankle 1 week
 Riley Knight Ankle  3-4 weeks
 Andrew McPherson Groin TBC
 Brodie Smith  Knee Indefinite
 Taylor Walker Foot 1 week
Updated: Tuesday, March 20

Early prognosis

Crouch has been ruled out for up to eight weeks with groin soreness as a result of the abdominal strain that forced him to miss the JLT Community Series. Forward Knight is another 3-4 weeks away from returning from an ankle injury. Skipper Walker (foot) and defender Keath (ankle) have both been ruled out of Friday night's clash with Essendon, but are expected to be available for the Grand Final rematch with Richmond in round two. - Lee Gaskin

BRISBANE

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Marco Paparone  Hamstring Test
 Sam Skinner ACL TBC
Updated: Tuesday, March 20

Early prognosis

A fantastic pre-season for the Lions and no major concerns ahead of round one. Skinner is ahead of schedule in his rehab and could be back as early as mid-season, while Paparone is not far away after having surgery to fix up his sciatic nerve problem. - Michael Whiting 

CARLTON

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Sam Docherty*  Knee Season
 Jarrod Garlett  Shoulder  Test 
 Matthew Kreuzer  Ankle  Test 
 Darcy Lang  Ankle  Test  
 Jarrod Pickett Wrist  12 weeks 
 Sam Rowe Knee  1-2 weeks 
 Tom Williamson Back Test 
Updated: Tuesday, March 20

Early prognosis

Ruckman Matthew Kreuzer is expected to be available for Thursday's season opener. Kreuzer, who rolled his left ankle in the Blues' final JLT Community Series game against Hawthorn, has been running freely this week. The Blues suffered a big blow at training last Thursday when Jarrod Pickett fractured his wrist, ruling him out for three months. Recruit Jarrod Garlett (shoulder) should be available to face the Tigers, but Darcy Lang (ankle) and Tom Williamson (back) face tests. Veteran defender Sam Rowe is expected to return in round two after recovering from a reconstruction of his right knee. - Howard Kotton 

COLLINGWOOD

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 James Aish Calf   Available
 Jordan De Goey Hamstring 2-3 weeks
 Jamie Elliott Ankle 2-3 weeks
 Alex Fasolo Shoulder Available
 Tyson Goldsack Knee Season
 Levi Greenwood Knee TBC
 Jack Magden Illness TBC
 Adam Oxley Shoulder  2-3 weeks
 Daniel Wells Achilles Available
Updated: Wednesday, March 21

Early prognosis

Nathan Buckley said on Tuesday the Magpies had 40 players available to play this weekend, either in Friday's VFL practice match or the AFL season opener against Hawthorn. Elliott and De Goey won't play anywhere as they remain a few weeks away from match practice, while Fasolo and Wells are slated for action against Box Hill. Aish isn't listed on the club's injury list and is assumed ready to play at some level this weekend, but Greenwood is well and truly out with complications - including issues with his quad – arising from his December knee surgery and a fresh bout of soreness this week meaning he'll undergo further assessment next week to determine his next step. Goldsack will have his knee reconstructed this Thursday while Madgen sent a scare through the camp this week when a viral infection presented as appendicitis. The Pies will assess him further in the coming days. - Jennifer Phelan

ESSENDON

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Travis Colyer Foot 5-6 weeks 
 Orazio Fantasia Knee 1-2 week
 Aaron Francis Mental health TBC
 Marty Gleeson Ankle 12-14 weeks
 Jayden Laverde Hamstring   2-3 weeks
 Kobe Mutch Knee Test 
 Darcy Parish Sorness TBC
Updated: Wednesday, March 19

Early prognosis

Orazio Fantasia is the big omission for round one, but the Bombers hope his knee injury won't keep him out for too much longer beyond that. Martin Gleeson will be out for 3-4 months with that ankle injury, while Jayden Laverde's hamstring strain should only see him unavailable for a couple of weeks into the season. The Bombers were keeping quiet on why Darcy Parish needed scans on Monday, but they were precautionary and he should be fine to play against Adelaide on Friday night. - Callum Twomey

FREMANTLE

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Michael Apeness Adductor  Test 
 Harley Bennell Calf TBC
 Stefan Giro Knee 4-6 weeks
 Bradley Hill Quad Test
 Stephen Hill Calf 1 week
 Griffin Logue Foot Test
 Lee Spurr Knee 4-6 weeks
Updated: Tuesday, March 20

Early prognosis

The Dockers have a call to make on Bradley Hill with the reigning Doig medallist pushing to play Port Adelaide coming back from a slight quad strain. His brother Stephen Hill might need game time at Peel before being considered for senior selection after missing all three pre-season hit-outs. Lee Spurr hyperextended his knee and is looking at least a month on the sidelines. Harley Bennell's return date for the Thunder remains unclear nearly five weeks on since his latest calf issue, but Griffin Logue and Michael Apeness will hope to be back this Saturday. - Travis King

GEELONG

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Gary Ablett Hamstring Available
 Nakia Cockatoo Calf Available
 Patrick Dangerfield   Hamstring Test
 Lachie Henderson Knee 3-4 weeks
 Lincoln McCarthy Quad 2-4 weeks
 Quinton Narkle* Knee  TBC
 Scott Selwood Ankle Test
 Rhys Stanley Calf 1-2 weeks
Updated: Tuesday, March 20

Early prognosis

Friday's session will prove crucial on whether Patrick Dangerfield overcomes a hamstring injury for round one. Nakia Cockatoo has shrugged off a calf complaint, while coach Chris Scott has declared Gary Ablett a certain starter. Rhys Stanley will be hopeful of a return inside a fortnight from the calf he injured in the Cats' final JLT clash on March 11. Lachie Henderson and Lincoln McCarthy ran laps at training on Friday as they push for a return inside a month, while Quinton Narkle has been placed on the long-term injury list after his ACL surgery in June last year. Recruit Stewart Crameri will need more minutes in the VFL before his return to the AFL after a long-term hip complaint. Scott Selwood is a chance to play in the VFL on Sunday. - Mitch Cleary

GOLD COAST

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Aaron Hall Broken finger 2 weeks
 Pearce Hanley Shoulder 3-4 weeks
 Sean Lemmens Hamstring 1-2 weeks
 Harrison Wigg Ankle Test
 Peter Wright Calf Test
Updated: Tuesday, March 20

Early prognosis

Hall, Hanley and Lemmens are all unavailable to play North Melbourne in the opening round, while Wright is also unlikely. Stuart Dew has consistently said the Suns would take no chances, and with Sam Day playing well in the JLT Series, he is likely to get the start while Wright gets to 100 percent. Lemmens and Hall could be available as early as round two. - Michael Whiting 

GWS

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Matt Buntine Knee  4 weeks 
 Brent Daniels Knee 4-6 weeks
 Ryan Griffen Ankle TBC
 Jacob Hopper Groin Test
 Adam Kennedy Knee 2-3 weeks
 Tom Scully Knee Test
 Will Setterfield Knee Season
 Zac Williams Achilles Indefinite
Updated: Tuesday, March 20

Early prognosis

Veteran Ryan Griffen was a never a chance to play round one, and while Tom Scully (knee) and Jacob Hopper (groin) have improved, they must be only 50/50 at best to face the Western Bulldogs on Sunday. Griffen's ankle is a worry after he missed most of last year and with no set time for his return, he could face another extended tint on the sidelines. - Adam Curley

HAWTHORN

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Grant Birchall  PCL 12 weeks
 Jonathan Ceglar  Back TBC
 Will Langford Hand 4 weeks
 Tim O'Brien  Hamstring Available
 Jonathan O'Rourke Hamstring TBC
 Cyril Rioli  Managed Test
 Liam Shiels Hamstring Available
Updated: Tuesday, March 16

Early prognosis

Cyril Rioli is training the house down, as they say, but don't pencil him in as a certain starter against the Pies on Saturday night until the teams are finalised 90 minutes before the game. Returning Hawks have been known to tick all the right boxes in order to play – only for the club to then give them another week just be sure. Jon Ceglar and Jonathan O'Rourke are back on the track but the club has given no indication about when they will resume for Box Hill. Neither played a senior game in 2017 and Ceglar hasn't played since injuring his ACL in August, 2016. Grant Birchall’s chronic knee injuries are now a major concern and the five more games he needs to reach 250 now seem an eternity away. - Ashley Browne

MELBOURNE

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Jordan Lewis Calf Available
 Tom McDonald Toe 6-8 weeks
 Pat McKenna Hamstring Indefinite
 Alex Neal-Bullen Quad Available
 Clayton Oliver Knee Available
 Aaron vandenBerg Ankle Indefinite
 Jack Viney Foot 6-8 weeks
Updated: Thursday, March 22

Early prognosis

Thursday's main training session will be a crucial one for Tom McDonald and Clayton Oliver. The pair were on light duties on Monday, but will ramp things up to try to prove their fitness for Sunday's game against the Cats. Oliver is the more likely of the two to play after copping a knock to the knee against St Kilda in the second JLT Community Series game. He still needs to train fully on Thursday to confirm himself as a certain starter. McDonald is in considerable doubt and is running out of time to be cleared for round one. - Ben Guthrie

NORTH MELBOURNE

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Taylor Garner Groin Test
 Kyron Hayden Shoulder 3-4 weeks
 Oscar Junker Concussion Test
 Alex Morgan Calf Test
 Declan Mountford Shoulder Test
 Declan Watson Knee Indefinite
 Sam Wright Foot 1 week
 Cam Zurhaar Abdominal  Test
Updated: Tuesday, March 20

Early prognosis

The wait for Sam Wright's return to AFL football will continue for at least another week. Taylor Garner, who completed a modified pre-season program, will have to pass a fitness test to play in round one for just the second time in his career. There was better news for Jed Anderson, who made a successful return from thumb surgery in a VFL practice match at the weekend. - Marc McGowan 

PORT ADELAIDE

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 
 Travis Boak Hamstring   Test  
 Matthew Broadbent Ankle 4-6 weeks 
 Willem Drew Foot TBC 
 Cameron Hewett Shin TBC 
 Jasper Pittard Hamstring 4-5 weeks 
 Sam Powell-Pepper Shoulder Test 
Updated: Tuesday, March 20

Early prognosis

Boak is almost a certain starter to face Fremantle at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, while Powell-Pepper is also a good chance of getting cleared to play. Pittard injured his hamstring in the Power's JLT Series win against Adelaide and has been ruled out for four to five weeks. Broadbent had a second bout of surgery on his troublesome ankle. There's no timeline for his return, but he's expected to miss at least the first month of the season. - Lee Gaskin 

RICHMOND

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Nathan Broad Club suspension Round four
 Nathan Drummond Knee   1 week
 Ben Griffiths Retired 
 Shaun Hampson Back 1 week
 Bachar Houli Calf Test
 Dion Prestia Hamstring Test
 Daniel Rioli  Foot TBC
Updated: Tuesday, March 20

Early prognosis

Dion Prestia is almost certain to miss Thursday night's season opener. The premiership midfielder warmed up with the main group and took part in kicking drills on Tuesday before stepping away and completing his own short run-throughs. Bachar Houli stayed with the main training group and will undergo a late fitness test to determine his availability. Daniel Rioli will miss the early rounds as the Tigers get conditioning into the valuable small forward, while Nathan Drummond is expected to return through the VFL in round two after completing his rehab from a second knee reconstruction. Nathan Broad has been impressive on the track but isn't available for selection until round four. - Nathan Schmook 

ST KILDA

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Nathan Freeman Hamstring  4-6 weeks 
 Billy Longer Hip Test
 Darren Minchington Knee Indefinite
 Ben Paton Thumb 2-3 weeks
 Jack Steven Ankle  Test
Updated: Tuesday, March 20

Early prognosis

Steven and Longer are more likely than not to face Brisbane at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon but need to recover well from Thursday's main session. Steven moved well on Tuesday but left midway through training and while Longer took part in a VFL practice game last Friday, he again needs to show his hip niggle isn't too much of a hindrance. Freeman began running late last week after hamstring surgery and Paton is doing ball work after a right thumb operation. Minchington needs knee surgery for a fracture on his injured knee and won't run for about another two months. - Dinny Navaratnam

SYDNEY

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Aliir Aliir  Ankle Test
 Dan Hannebery Calf Test 
 Alex Johnson  Groin/hip 2-3 weeks
 Jarrad McVeigh Calf Test 
 Sam Naismith  Knee  Season
 Kurt Tippett Retired 
Updated: Tuesday, March 20

Early prognosis

Both Jarrad McVeigh and Dan Hannebery trained strongly at the SCG on Tuesday and will be tested again at a closed session on Thursday. If they both pull up well they're likely to be available for selection, but McVeigh looks slightly ahead in his preparation and playing both could be a massive risk for the Swans. Aliir Aliir will also be tested Thursday after he missed Tuesday's session, and could be NEAFL-bound after not playing since the first JLT Community Series game. - Adam Curley 

WEST COAST

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Brendon Ah Chee  Ankle TBC
 Josh Kennedy  Ankle TBC
 Eric Mackenzie  Toe TBC 
 Jack Petruccelle Finger  TBC
 Willie Rioli  Ankle TBC
 Nathan Vardy  Adductor TBC
Updated: Friday, March 16

Early prognosis

It's not good news for Nathan Vardy or recruit Brendon Ah Chee after setbacks in their rehabilitations while star goalkicker Josh Kennedy's return could be pushed back until round four after undergoing knee surgery last week. Small forward Willie Rioli was moving well at Tuesday training after rolling his ankle and no longer has strapping on the knee he hurt during AFLX, but the 22-year-old seems behind the eight-ball to be picked in the season opener and could play for East Perth alongside Petruccelle on Saturday. - Travis King

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Marcus Adams Ankle  10-12 weeks
 Dale Morris Knee 10-12 weeks
 Liam Picken  Concussion Indefinite
 Jack Redpath  Suspended Round two
 Jordan Roughead  Hip Test
Updated: Tuesday, March 20

Early prognosis

It appears only Redpath will be available for the round two clash with Essendon. The club won’t be rushing the recovery of Picken after his second concussion in the past 12 months. - Ryan Davidson

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

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