Adelaide Crows

Training return: The first-to-fourth-year players start pre-season training on Monday, November 5, with the rest of the squad returning on Monday, November 19.

Injury list: The Crows should have almost everyone on deck for the start of pre-season. Midfielder Brad Crouch will be eased back after missing the entire season with groin soreness. Crouch had surgery in June. Skipper Taylor Walker should also be right to go after surgery on the plantar fascia in his left foot in August. Defenders Daniel Talia (shin/thumb), Tom Doedee (fractured collarbone) and Andy Otten (Achilles), and ruckman Reilly O'Brien (shoulder) are also on track. Kyle Hartigan (knee surgery) and Andrew McPherson (groin soreness) will be on modified programs before the Christmas break.

Draft picks: 8, 13, 16, 21, 83

Major off-field moves: Perhaps the most significant change is the appointment of renowned physiotherapist and research scientist Steve Saunders in a full-time role, in response to the club's crippling amount of hamstring injuries this year. The Crows have shuffled the pieces around senior coach Don Pyke. Joining the club are former Crows and Sydney defender Martin Mattner (defence coach), Woodville-West Torrens coach Michael Godden (midfield coach) and ex-Carlton and Crows forward Matthew Wright (forwards development coach). Hall of Fame defender Ben Hart moves from defence to the forwards after Josh Francou's departure, while Scott Camporeale has been promoted to a senior assistant/game strategy role. Development coach Tate Kaesler – who also oversaw team defence for the past two seasons – has joined Gold Coast.

Round one: Hawthorn, Adelaide, Saturday, March 23, 4.05pm ACDT

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

2019 Premiership odds: $15

And another thing … You can get long odds on the Crows having a pre-season camp after their failed experience on the Gold Coast earlier this year. - Lee Gaskin

Brisbane Lions

Training return: The first-to-fourth-year players are back at it on Monday, November 5 with the remainder of the squad returning two weeks later.

Injury list: Not a whole lot to worry about. Darcy Gardiner's reconstructed shoulder has come along well and although he won't be in full training until after Christmas, he'll be running from the start of pre-season. Charlie Cameron has progressed well from his Lisfranc foot surgery and is running already, while new recruit Lincoln McCarthy will be nursed through the opening weeks after a wretched run of hamstring problems. Youngsters Jack Payne (leg) and Connor Ballenden (wrist) are running but will be progressed slowly.

Draft picks: 18, 30, 35, 56, 78

Major off-field moves: No news is good news for the Lions. Following a two-year period of turning over its coaching structure, footy manager, high performance team and chairman, the club is rock solid ahead of 2019.

Round one: West Coast, the Gabba, March 23, 7.20pm

2018 Premiership odds: $51

And another thing ... The Lions still have some wriggling to do with their list. They currently have three spots left and want to use four picks in the NAB AFL Draft. Watch for one player to be shifted from the primary list to the rookie list in the next few days. - Michael Whiting

Carlton

Training return: Carlton's first-to-four-year players return on Monday 5 November, while the remainder of the group will be back on Monday 19 November.

Injury list: New co-captain Sam Docherty will return for the first day of pre-season after missing the entirety of the 2018 campaign with a knee injury. The club expects most of its other injured players, including Charlie CurnowLachie Plowman and Zac Fisher, to also resume on day one after their years were ended early. The club will be ultra-cautious with the way it manages Matthew Kreuzer's return to pre-season training after his 2018 season was cut short due to an elevated heart rate.

Draft picks: 1, 69, 71, 77

Major off-field moves: The Blues had a busy off-season, bringing in recruits both on and off the field. Highly regarded high performance manager Andrew Russell headlined the off-field moves, crossing from Hawthorn in what was seen as a major coup for the club. Hamish McIntosh joined as a specialist ruck coach, while club great Robert Walls returns to Ikon Park as a mentor to the club's coaching staff.

Round one: Richmond, MCG, March 21, 7.20pm AEDT

2018 Premiership odds: $101

And another thing … Brendon Bolton will head to Harvard University in December to undertake a leadership course, with the club's pre-season training camp on the Sunshine Coast pushed to February as a result. - Riley Beveridge

Sam Docherty will be a welcome sight on the training track after 12 months out. Picture: AFL Photos

Collingwood

Training return: The first to fourth-year players will kick off the Pies’ pre-season campaign on November 19. The club’s senior players will return on December 3.

Injury list: Lynden Dunn is bullish about making a round one return, but a more cautious approach will be taken with fellow knee victim Matt Scharenberg, who is unlikely to play until mid-season. Jeremy Howe isn't likely to join training until after Christmas following shoulder surgery, but it is hoped that Daniel Wells' foot problem won't hamper his preparations. There are concerns about the ongoing hamstring issues of talented pair Jamie Elliott and Darcy Moore, while there is optimism that Jordan De Goey’s lower leg bone stress will have been cured by rest.

Draft picks: 41, 44, 57, 59, 60, 93

Major off-field moves: The return of Collingwood premiership player and 2012 club champion Dayne Beams is a luxury in an already deep midfield, and the addition of Bulldogs premiership ruckman Jordan Roughead provides more options. On the flipside, the Pies farewelled the likes of premiership player Jarryd Blair (delisted) and Alex Fasolo (Carlton).

Round one: Geelong, MCG, Friday March 22, 7.50pm AEDT

2018 Premiership odds: $7 

And another thing … Woods coach Nathan Buckley has taken what is believed to be an unprecedented three-month family holiday that might prove a game-changer for the industry. In Buckley’s absence, which will extend to mid-January, the Pies’ pre-season will be run by assistant coaches Robert Harvey, Brenton Sanderson, Justin Longmuir and Garry Hocking. - Ben Collins

Essendon

Training return: The club's later finish in the VFL finals series has pushed back their return to training. First-to-fourth-year players will be back at Tullamarine on November 12, before the rest of the list is back on deck the following Monday, November 19.

Injury list: All eyes will be on Joe Daniher when the Bombers get back to training. The key forward, All Australian and best and fairest winner didn’t play after round seven after succumbing to osteitis pubis, and there are still some questions around how healthy he'll be when training resumes. Coach John Worsfold was understated this week when asked if Daniher would be ready to complete everything when the group gets back. Marty Gleeson is another the Bombers will be sweating on after he missed all of last season with a foot/ankle issue, but apart from those two the Bombers avoided a raft of off-season surgeries. 

Draft picks: 34, 66, 84

Major off-field moves: The acquisition of Dylan Shiel is huge for Essendon. Shiel is a blue-chip midfielder who fills what the Bombers were missing: a midfielder with size, speed and a gun at the clearances. The deal that sent Shiel from Greater Western Sydney to Essendon went through only moments before the trade deadline, but it was a massive coup for the Bombers, who feel their time is now to strike for the flag.

Round one: Greater Western Sydney, Spotless Stadium, Sunday, March 24, 3.20pm AEDT

2018 Premiership odds: $10

And another thing … Will the Bombers add another ruckman in the coming weeks? They're looking around after Matthew Leuenberger retired, despite being offer a new contract. - Callum Twomey

Fremantle

Training return: The first-to-fourth-year Dockers are back on deck on Monday, before the rest of the playing group joins them on November 19.

Injury list: Boom recruit Jesse Hogan will be the chief concern for Freo's medical team over pre-season with the ex-Melbourne key forward recovering from a navicular stress fracture in his right kicking foot. Hogan hopes to start running soon and is uncertain about when he will join in main training. Freo could ease Griffin Logue (foot) and Connor Blakely (knee) back after long-term absences, while managing soft-tissue plagued Stephen Hill will be crucial.

Draft picks: 14, 31, 43, 65 and 81

Major off-field moves: There was end-of-season upheaval in two key football department posts. Peter Bell replaced long-time football boss Chris Bond and made his presence felt during the NAB AFL Trade Period, but the Dockers are yet to announce a replacement for general manager of list management Brad Lloyd after his defection to Carlton as head of football, with CEO Steve Rosich taking over Lloyd's duties in the interim. 

Round one: North Melbourne, Optus Stadium, Sunday, March 24, 3.20pm AWST

2018 Premiership odds: $51

And another thing The Dockers want to hit the ground running next season and will venture to the other side of the country for a week-long training camp on the Gold Coast in December in a bid to drill Ross Lyon's game plan into the squad. - Travis King

Can the Dockers keep Stephen Hill off the injury list longer in 2019? Picture: AFL Photos

Geelong Cats

Training return: After their elimination finals exit, the Cats' first-to-fourth year players are due back at the club on Monday November 12. The full group resumes training on Monday November 26. 

Injury list: Defender Jed Bews was the only player to undergo post-season surgery. The backman had an operation on his shoulder and will be eased into pre-season training once the players resume.

Draft picks: 12, 50, 51, 70, 87

Major off-field moves: The Cats are yet to announce any off-field changes and the coaches will remain the same as last season.

Round one: Collingwood, MCG, March 22, 7.50pm AEDT

2018 Premiership odds: $17 (Beteasy)

And another thing ... Young forward Esava Ratugolea is back training at the club after an injury-interrupted 2018 to give himself the best opportunity to prepare for next season. Ben Guthrie

Gold Coast Suns

Training return: The state-league priority signings – Sam Collins, Josh Corbett and Chris Burgess – will join the first-to-fourth-year players on November 5. The rest of the squad is back on November 19.

Injury list: With plenty of players put on ice late in the 2018 season, the Suns should be nearly at full capacity from the start of pre-season. Peter Wright (knee), Pearce Hanley (hamstring), Jack Martin (calf) and Sam Day (shoulder) will all be right to go, although Day's contact work might be slightly modified.

Draft picks: 2, 3, 6, 24, 29, 80

Major off-field moves: Like the on-field, there's a bit happening off-field, particularly in the coaching ranks. With Matt Primus and Andy Lovell departing from assistant coaching roles, Josh Drummond (North Melbourne) and Josh Francou (Adelaide) have stepped in. Tate Kaesler has also come from the Crows as a development coach along with Tim Clarke, while Andrew Swallow is a specialist coach, helping with stoppages and tackling. Alex Rigby has stepped up from the club's physio into the high-performance manager's role following the departure of Justin Cordy.

Round one: St Kilda, Marvel Stadium, March 24, 1.10pm

2018 Premiership odds: $501

And another thing ... If you're struggling to keep up with the Suns' list turnover, you're not the only one. Aside from their top-heavy draft prospects (they won't be trading picks two, three or six), they have committed to re-drafting Michael Rischitelli, Jack Leslie, Brad Scheer and Harrison Wigg as rookies. They're also on the hunt for two delisted free agents before Thursday's deadline. - Michael Whiting

WHO'S LEAVING YOUR CLUB? All the latest retirements and delistings

GWS Giants

Training return: The Giants' first-to-fourth-year players hit the track on November 19, with the majority of the rest of the squad due back on December 3.

Injury list: Star midfielder Josh Kelly is progressing well after having surgery on his troublesome hip and his knee post-season, and he's putting in plenty of hours at the club doing rehab. Veteran Heath Shaw started running this week after he suffered a serious knee injury that ended his season in round 21 against Adelaide. Just as he did last year, Shaw will likely have his own pre-season program until the new year.

Draft picks: 9, 11, 19, 25, 52, 89.

Major off-field moves: No news from the back office at GWS with all senior footy and coaching personnel locked into their roles again for 2019.

Round one: Essendon, Sydney Showground Stadium, March 24, 3.20pm AEDT

2018 Premiership odds: $13

And another thing ... Shaw and fellow veteran Brett Deledio will have roles with the Giants' AFLW team, providing coach Alan McConnell with some valuable help in his second season in the job.

Heath Shaw will again have a individualised program until early in the new year. Picture: AFL Photos

Hawthorn

Training return: First-to-fourth-year players are back at the club on Monday, November 19. The rest of the list returns on Monday, December 3.

Injury list: Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell had shoulder surgery less than two days after taking home the medal, but is expected back in full training. Boom recruit Tom Scully will be on a modified program as he recovers from the ankle injury that kept him to just two games for GWS last season. A round one debut for the Hawks is regarded as the "best-case scenario" by footy boss Graham Wright.

Draft picks: 53, 90

Major off-field moves: Former premiership skipper and star midfielder Sam Mitchell re-joins the club as an assistant coach after two years with West Coast – one as a player and another as an assistant. The Eagles midfielders raved about his influence after winning this year’s premiership, so the Hawks are happy to have him home as a replacement for Brett Ratten, who is now at the Saints. After leading Box Hill to the flag, Chris Newman has been elevated to the Hawks coaching panel, while Max Bailey is the new Box Hill coach. Long-time fitness boss Andrew Russell was poached by Carlton last month.

Round one: Adelaide, Adelaide Oval, Saturday, March 24, 4.05pm ACDT

2018 Premiership odds: $13 

And another thing … The Hawks are heading back to Kokoda for the first time in three years. All first-to-third-year players, plus draftees will be making the trip, which is pretty much a rite of passage for every Hawthorn player. The Hawks first went there in late 2004, shortly after Alastair Clarkson was named as coach. - Ashley Browne

Melbourne

Training return: The Demons' first-to-fourth year players still have a few more weeks to cool their heels before returning to training on Monday November 19. The senior players are due back on Monday December 3. 

Injury list: The Demons had a number of players undergo post-season surgeries including Jack Viney (ankle), Christian Petracca (knee), Mitch Hannan (knee), Clayton Oliver (both shoulders), Aaron vandenBerg (shoulder), Jayden Hunt (shoulder), James Harmes (shoulder) and Neville Jetta (shoulder). All the players listed are expected to resume full training post-Christmas. 

Draft picks: 23, 28, 54, 62, 91

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Major off-field moves: Following Peter Jackson's planned departure at the end of the season, Gary Pert has taken over as CEO as of early October. Melbourne's coaching staff has had little turnover and is locked in for another season. 

Round one: Port AdelaideMCGMarch 231.45pm. 

2018 Premiership odds: $8

And another thing … Melbourne coaches have covered all parts of the globe in the off season. Simon Goodwin (London), Craig Jennings (Japan) and Troy Chaplin (US) embarked on study tours to gain insights by visiting sporting clubs in those countries.  - Ben Guthrie

North Melbourne

Training return: The first-to-fourth-year players will start pre-season training on Monday, November 5, while the rest are back on November 19. 

Injury list: Ben Brown (hip) and Majak Daw (broken foot) will be restricted until after Christmas as they recover from respective surgeries, while Trent Dumont (thumb) and Taylor Garner (hamstring) are also on light duties until then. Others to watch include Will Walker (knee), Sam Durdin (broken leg), Ed Vickers-Willis (knee), Declan Watson (knee) and Cam Zurhaar (ankle).  Ben Jacobs (concussion/sinusitis) will be right from day one.

Draft picks: 42, 47, 48, 49, 55, 58, 86

Major off-field moves: Rhyce Shaw, the AFL Coaches' Association assistant of the year the past two seasons, and new head of development Aaron Greaves are the additions to Brad Scott's coaching staff. Defence coach Josh Drummond (Gold Coast) and development coach Ben Dyer, who returned to Western Australia, are the departures.

Round one: Fremantle, Optus Stadium, Sunday, March 24, 3.20pm AWST

2019 Premiership odds: $29 

And another thing ... The annual Utah high-altitude training camp, which Jed Anderson voluntarily went on last year ahead of his breakout season, won't officially be happening. Some Roos, including Paul Ahern, Declan Watson, Cam Zurhaar and Sam Durdin, made the trip off their own bat.

Majak Daw and Ben Brown are both recovering from off-season surgery. Picture: AFL Photos

Port Adelaide

Training return: The first-to-fourth-year players start pre-season training on Monday, November 5, with the rest of the squad returning on Monday, November 19.

Injury list: Midfielder Tom Rockliff (shoulder) and key forward Charlie Dixon (fractured leg) will have delayed start to their pre-seasons. Rockliff will be running, but won't return to contact work until the New Year. He's hopeful of being available for the Power's first JLT Series game. Dixon will be sidelined until after Christmas. Half-back flanker Hamish Hartlett is continuing to build his training loads after tearing the ACL in his right knee in April, as is ruckman Sam Hayes, who tore his ACL in June. All Australian forward Robbie Gray has recovered after a clean out of his right knee at the end of the season. Tom Clurey (foot), Todd Marshall (foot), Matthew Broadbent (foot), Joel Garner (shoulder) and Willem Drew (heel) are expected to be ready for the start of pre-season after their surgeries.

Draft picks: 5, 10, 15, 85

Major off-field moves: The Power have welcomed back 2004 premiership winners Jarrad SchofieldBrett Montgomery and Dean Brogan in assistant coaching roles. Schofield – after guiding Subiaco to three straight WAFL premierships – is the Power's midfield coach. Montgomery will look after the forwards. Michael Voss moves to a senior assistant coaching role, filling the void left by Matthew Nicks' move to Greater Western Sydney. Montgomery replaces Brendon Lade, who has joined St Kilda. Brogan will be the Power's ruck coach. Head of development Aaron Greaves has left the Power and joined North Melbourne.

Round one: Melbourne, MCG, Saturday, March 23, 1.45pm AEDT

FIXTURE ASTERISK Round nine swap on the cards

2019 Premiership odds: $26

And another thing … The Power haven't forgotten their disastrous finish to last season, losing six of their last seven games to miss the finals. You can bet hitting targets by foot will be a major focus of the pre-season. - Lee Gaskin

Richmond

Training return: First-to-fourth year players head back to the club on Monday, November 19, with the rest of the list to join them on Monday, December 3. 

Injury list: Jack Graham is facing a delayed start to pre-season after an October shoulder reconstruction. He'll start running when the players return but won't engage in contract drills until the New Year. Others to undergo minor operations include Jack Riewoldt (shoulder), Josh Caddy (ankle), Dylan Grimes (finger), Ryan Garthwaite (ankle) and Ben Miller (hip). Tom Lynch has been tentatively pencilled in to start pre-season on time with plans for him to commence running in November after July knee surgery.

Draft picks: 17, 37, 64, 68, 74, 92

Major off-field moves: In the football department, the departure of defensive coach Ben Rutten to Essendon opened up the door for the arrival of Adam Kingsley from St Kilda, who will coach the midfielders after serving eight years at the Saints. Justin Leppitsch will now take control of the defenders while Blake Caracella will be the offensive coach and Andrew McQualter in charge of the forwards.

Round one: Carlton, MCG, Thursday March 21, 7.20pm AEDT

2018 Premiership odds: $5 (BetEasy)

And another thing … Watch for movement on the club's facilities next year. The Tigers will boast five teams (AFL, VFL, AFLW, VFLW and wheelchair) from 2020, and have already identified a need to expand, potentially to include a second training venue. They've started lobbying for state and federal funding to back such a project. - Jennifer Phelan

St Kilda

Training return: The first-to-fourth year players return next Wednesday, November 7, while the rest of the list will be back on Monday, November 19.

Injury list: Ruckman Billy Longer will be restricted as he recovers from left ankle surgery, and will probably sit out of some of the agility work early on. However, he's been doing plenty of running through the off-season. Former Melbourne forward Dean Kent will also be delayed as he rehabs his right shoulder following an operation in September. Backman Dylan Roberton is itching to get back into full training after missing the bulk of the year with a heart issue, while Paddy McCartin (left foot) and Josh Bruce (leg) are similarly ready.

Draft picks: 4, 36, 46, 67, 79

Major off-field moves: There's been a big shake-up underneath Alan Richardson. Several new assistant coaches have been brought in, with Brett Ratten to take over forward line and ball movement, and Brendon Lade in charge of the midfield. Adam Skrobalak has moved into a full-time position and will help Lade, while Jake Batchelor has been brought in to be a development defensive coach. Helping out the list management team will be Graeme Allan, rugby league legend Billy Slater has taken a leadership role and the Saints have appointed Darren O'Shaughnessy as the senior analyst.

Round one: Gold Coast, Marvel Stadium, Sunday, March 24, 1.10pm AEDT

2018 Premiership odds: $101

And another thing … A group of third and fourth-year players are headed up to the Northern Territory from Monday, November 12. The itinerary will be similar to last year's trip, when Ben Long hosted the leadership group up north. Among those accompanying Long will be Jade Gresham, Brandon White, Bailey Rice, Josh Battle, Rowan Marshall and Darragh Joyce. - Dinny Navaratnam

Paddy McCartin will be hoping for a change of fortune after an injury-blighted start to his career. Picture: AFL Photos

Sydney Swans

Training return: The first-to-fourth-year Swans return to training on November 12, with the rest of the players back on November 26.

Injury list: Superstar forward Lance Franklin and Zak Jones had minor knee operations in the off-season, but both should be ready to train at some capacity before the Christmas break, while last season's missing quartet of Callum Mills (foot), Sam Reid (quad), Sam Naismith (knee) and Lewis Melican (hamstrings/knee) will all be ready to go when pre-season resumes.

Draft picks: 26, 33, 38, 39, 40, 88

Major off-field moves: Former Geelong and St Kilda forward Charlie Gardiner has joined the club as the new head of football, with Gardiner to ease into the role with the help of the outgoing Tom Harley, who will eventually take over from Andrew Ireland as chief executive in late December.

Round one: Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium, March 23, 7.25pm AEDT

2018 Premiership odds: $15

And another thing ... Senior coach John Longmire, skipper Josh Kennedy, his deputies Luke Parker and Dane Rampe, and young stars Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills, are currently in Doha, Qatar on a fact-finding trip to check out some of the world-class training facilities to be used leading into the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

West Coast Eagles

Training return: The Eagles' first-to-fourth-year players will be back by November 19 but the senior players don't return until December 3, and they'll have only a couple of weeks training before another break over Christmas. 

Injury list: West Coast will nurse battle-scarred spearhead Josh Kennedy through the early stages of pre-season after shoulder surgery and the 31-year-old won't resume contact work before late January. Nic Naitanui will spend the summer completing another painstaking rehabilitation after his right ACL reconstruction and is aiming to return during the middle stages of next season.

Draft picks: 20, 22, 61, 72, 76 and 94

Major off-field moves: The major change has been Sam Mitchell's departure to Hawthorn after just one season as midfield coach. Former Eagle and Suns onballer Matt Rosa has come on board as stoppage and structure coach, with Nathan van Berlo stepping into Mitchell's role. Ex-Hawthorn premiership star Chance Bateman also joins as a forward line development coach.

Round one: Brisbane, The Gabba, Saturday, March 23, 7.20pm AEST

2018 Premiership odds: $7.50

And another thing ... It will be a busy off-season for the Eagles, with the club scouting for players before fielding a reserves team in the WAFL next year for the first time and needing to get organised before moving to a new home base at Lathlain Park in March. - Travis King

Western Bulldogs

Training return: First-to-fourth-year players are due back at the club on Tuesday, November 5 for physicals and meetings, while the rest of the list returns on Monday, November 19.

Injury list: Fresh from signing a one-year deal, Tom Liberatore says he's over his second knee reconstruction and ready to once again become one the League's most dangerous playmakers. Fellow midfielder Lukas Webb is still in a neck brace following a frightening accident during an VFL match in August, but whether he is ready to start later this month remains to be seen. Premiership hero Liam Picken is expected to be ready for day one of pre-season after missing the whole 2018 season with concussion issues.

Draft picks: 7, 27, 32, 45, 63, 75, 82

Major off-field moves: All's quiet on the western front, with Luke Beveridge opting to make no personnel changes to his coaching panel. As far as the purse strings go, the Dogs are looking to achieve their long-time strategy of ending financial gain from poker machines and find other income streams.

Round one: Sydney, Marvel Stadium, Saturday March 22, 7.40pm AEDT

2018 Premiership odds: $41 

And another thing … With so many Bulldogs attending NBA games on holidays in the US, could we see the Dogs play with a little more 'showtime' in 2019? - Ryan Davidson