SYDNEY is staring down the barrel of top-up players after just two matches, after a host of players pulled up sore following its win over Essendon.

Star recruit Taylor Smith has broken her wrist, while Laura Gardiner (foot), Holly Cooper (elbow) and Ash Van Loon (calf) are all tests. 

The Swans currently have eight players on its injury list, and if they still have seven or more unavailable by Saturday's game, they will require top-ups either as emergencies or on the field.

Collingwood midfielder Mattea Breed will miss at least one week after undergoing surgery to remove her appendix, while teammate and key back Maisie Nankivell has suffered a huge blow, with scans revealing she's facing 8-12 weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

Georgia Garnett reacts to an injury during round two, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Star midfielder Amy McDonald is set for a stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, but Geelong has not yet confirmed the expected duration.

Scans have shown good news for Narrm recruit Mia Austin, who will be a test for this weekend with an ankle complaint, as will late withdrawal Lauren Pearce (knee) and Maeve Chaplin (foot).

It's mixed news for Greater Western Sydney, with Georgia Garnett (shoulder, test) escaping serious injury after a heavy collision, but livewire Zarlie Goldsworthy has suffered a setback in her return from a leg fracture, which hasn't healed at the expected rate.

Jasmine Fleming has been cleared to return for Hawthorn, having been a late withdrawal last weekend with hamstring soreness.

Essendon is a chance to welcome back Daria Bannister (knee) and Sophie Van De Heuvel (hamstring) for the first time this year, but will be without former All-Australian defender Maddi Gay, who has suffered a shoulder injury. A timeline will be set after further consultation with a surgeon.

Walyalup key back Ash Brazill has been sidelined after developing concussion symptoms, but tall forward Georgie Brisbane is a chance to return, overcoming a broken hand suffered in pre-season.

The Western Bulldogs have suffered a double blow, with veterans De Berry (collarbone) and Ellie Blackburn (hamstring, 4-6 weeks) joining the injury list.

Check out your club's full injury list below.

PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Kiera Mueller Patella TBC
Danielle Paredes Pregnancy Inactive
Brooke Smith Knee Season
Updated: August 26, 2026
PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Ally Anderson Hamstring 2-3 weeks
Caitlin Kennedy ACL Inactive
Olivia Lacy Thigh Inactive
Meg Lappin Leg 3-7 weeks
Updated: August 26, 2026
PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Lauren Bella Calf 3-4 weeks
Maddy Guerin Knee Inactive
Breann Harrington Pregnancy Inactive
Meg Robertson Illness TBC
Updated: August 26, 2026
PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Matilda Argus Knee Inactive
Mattea Breed Appendix TBC
Lauren Butler Calf Test
Lucy Cronin Shoulder Test
Eliza James Calf 1-2 weeks
Maisie Nankivell Hamstring 8-12 weeks
Violet Patterson Suspension Round 4
Updated: August 26, 2026
PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Daria Bannister Knee Test
Brooke Brown Leg Inactive
Emma Dineen Back 2-3 weeks
Maddi Gay Shoulder TBC
Bess Keaney Pregnancy Inactive
Amelia Radford ACL 3-4 weeks
Sophie Van De Heuvel Hamstring Test
Updated: August 26, 2026
PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Ash Brazill Concussion TBC
Georgie Brisbane Hand Test
Madi Scanlon Foot Test
Aine Tighe Knee Inactive
Updated: August 26, 2026
PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Alissa Brook Foot 4-6 weeks
Kate Kenny Foot TBC
Amy McDonald Hamstring TBC
Renee Morgan Ankle Test
Georgie Rankin Neck Inactive
Kate Surman Ankle Test
Updated: August 26, 2026
PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Elise Barwick Knee Test
Georgia Clayden Pregnancy Inactive
Charlotte Wilson Foot 6+ weeks
Updated: August 26, 2026
PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Georgia Garnett Shoulder Test
Zarlie Goldsworthy Lower leg TBC
Scarlett Johnson Knee Inactive
Kaitlyn Srhoj Foot 6-10 weeks
Updated: August 26, 2026
PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Grace Baba Ankle TBC
Mackenzie Eardley Achilles Test
Emily Everist Knee Inactive
Elli Symonds Foot 3 weeks
Matilda Van Berkel Foot Inactive
Updated: August 26, 2026
PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Mia Austin Ankle Test
Chloe Baker-West  Leg Inactive
Grace Beasley  Knee Inactive
Maeve Chaplin  Foot Test
Jacinta Hose Ankle 5-6 weeks
Jorja Livingstone  Wrist 3-4 weeks
Lauren Pearce  Knee Test
Saraid Taylor  Calf 1-2 weeks
Updated: August 26, 2026
PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Nicole Bresnehan Knee 2-3 weeks
Taylah Gatt Groin 3-4 weeks
Erika O'Shea Concussion 1-2 weeks
Amy Smith Knee Inactive
Updated: August 26, 2026
PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Jemma Charity Knee Inactive
Chloe Gaunt Hip 2-4 weeks
Ellie Hampson Hip 4-6 weeks
Jasmine Sowden Foot 5-7 weeks
Indy Tahau Knee Test
Caitlin Wendland ACL - training block Inactive
Updated: August 26, 2026

 

PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Zoe Hargreaves ACL 3-5 weeks
Sarah Hosking Hamstring 4-6 weeks
Ellie McKenzie Arm 2-3 weeks
Montana McKinnon ACL 3-5 weeks
Baia Pugh Ankle 1 week
Paige Scott Foot 4-5 weeks
Updated: August 26, 2026
PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
J'Noemi Anderson Hamstring 4-6 weeks
Amber Clarke Ankle 6+ weeks
Carys D'Addario Hip Test
Abby Hobson Concussion Test
Molly McDonald Foot 1-3 weeks
Nicola Xenos ACL Inactive
Updated: August 26, 2026

 

PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Holly Cooper Elbow Test
Laura Gardiner Foot Test
Jas Grierson Calf 1 week
Tanya Kennedy Back 1 week
Amelia Martin Hamstring 5-7 weeks
Alice Mitchell ACL Inactive
Alex Neyland ACL Inactive
Lulu Pullar Shoulder 5-7 weeks
Taylor Smith Wrist TBC
Ash Van Loon Calf Test
Updated: August 26, 2026
PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Kayla Dalgleish  Hamstring 1 week
Ali Drennan Pregnancy Inactive
Liz McGrath Hamstring 2-4 weeks
Lily Paterson  Hip 3-5 weeks
Jess Rentsch Foot TBC
Courtney Rowley  ACL TBC
Lily Smart  ACL Inactive
Mikayla Western  ACL Inactive
Updated: August 26, 2026
PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
De Berry Collarbone TBC
Ellie Blackburn Hamstring 4-6 weeks
Elisabeth Georgostathis Concussion Protocols
Updated: August 26, 2026