Check out the injury updates from the 10 finalists.

PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Jordon Butts Ankle Test
James Peatling Hip/groin TBC
Luke Pedlar Hamstring 2 weeks
Zac Taylor Hamstring 2-3 weeks
Updated: August 25, 2026

In the mix

There will be at least one forced change after Taylor suffered a hamstring injury against Greater Western Sydney, with Callum Ah Chee shaping as the likely replacement after being managed for the final home-and-away game. Peatling missed the clash against GWS with hip and groin soreness and will continue to be managed across the week off before pushing for selection in an elimination final. Key defender Butts is recovering well from an ankle injury but will need to pass a fitness test next week to be declared available. Midfielder Billy Dowling (30 disposals and seven clearances) was the standout player in the SANFL if more change is needed. – Nathan Schmook

PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Hugh McCluggage Calf Test
Jack Payne Knee Season
Henry Smith Foot Season
Reece Torrent Ankle Season
Zane Zakostelsky Knee Season
Updated: August 25, 2026

In the mix

Just the one big decision for Chris Fagan ahead of facing Sydney on Saturday week – who goes out to accommodate McCluggage? The co-captain missed the final three matches of the season but is progressing well and expected to face the Swans. The Lions are loaded with depth should any hiccups occur during September with Bruce RevilleDan AnnableKeidean ColemanLinc McCarthy and Will McLachlan all on standby. - Michael Whiting

PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Matt Carroll Knee Season
Campbell Chesser Knee Season
Nick Haynes Ankle Test
Will Hayward Ankle Test
Rob Monahan Shoulder Season
Jesse Motlop Knee Season
Nic Newman Hamstring 3-4 weeks
Harry O'Farrell Knee Season
Updated: August 25, 2026

In the mix

The Blues will put Hayward through a fitness test during Thursday's main session ahead of Saturday night's wildcard clash against the Demons. The forward didn't do much during training on Tuesday, but the side remains hopeful he'll be okay. Haynes did the bulk of Tuesday's session and there's confidence he'll be fit to return. Zac Williams (larynx) has recovered and is available. Young trio Lucas Camporeale, Jack Ison and Harry Charleson were among the emergencies over the weekend, while Jordan Boyd (24 disposals, six intercepts) and Flynn Young (18 disposals, three goals) were the standouts during the VFL side's wildcard defeat on Saturday. - Riley Beveridge

PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Jamie Elliott Knee Season
Tew Jiath Hamstring Season
Pat Lipinski Calf Test
Brayden Maynard Knee TBC
Reef McInnes Knee Season
Darcy Moore Hamstring Season
Scott Pendlebury Hamstring 2-3 weeks
Harry Perryman Hamstring 1-2 weeks
Isaac Quaynor Glute Test
Oscar Steene Knee Season
Updated: August 25, 2026

In the mix

Collingwood will be without Pendlebury for the wildcard final – and for up to three weeks – while Maynard will also miss multiple games with a fresh knee injury over the weekend. Lipinski and Quaynor are both on track to be available against the Western Bulldogs after missing the close of the home and away season. – Josh Gabelich

PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Brennan Cox Calf 2-3 weeks
Murphy Reid Groin Test
Aiden Riddle Ankle Test
Sam Sturt Hamstring TBC
Updated: August 25, 2026

In the mix

The Dockers will be boosted by at least four best 23 players as Jye Amiss, Heath Chapman and Sam Switkowski prepare to return for a qualifying final next week after being managed in the final home-and-away game. Reid is also set to resume after recovering from a knock to the groin region. Key defender Oscar McDonald is already in the team and can swing back to cover the injury to Brennan Cox after being tried forward. The selection options outside of that for Fremantle include small defender Brandon Walker, versatile midfielder Corey Wagner, veteran wingman Jaeger O'Meara and ruckman Sean Darcy. WAFL club Peel Thunder has the week off as minor premier before playing a semi-final next week. – Nathan Schmook

PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Harley Barker Knee TBC
Toby Conway Foot/Knee TBC
Max Holmes Ankle 1-3 weeks
Keighton Matofai-Forbes Finger Test
Rhys Stanley Knee 4-6 weeks
Oli Wiltshire Foot Test
James Worpel Hamstring 1-3 weeks
Updated: August 25, 2026

In the mix

Stanley has had minor surgery on his right knee and will miss a minimum of four weeks, putting the rest of his season in some doubt. Holmes continues to progress with his ankle injury and has started modified training. Worpel has lifted his running and aims to rejoin training this week. The VFL Cats are coming off a week off, having bypassed last week's wildcard finals, but George Stevens, Mitch Knevitt and Jack Bowes were all in good touch in the final-round win over North Melbourne on August 16. - Michael Rogers

PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Cody Anderson Hamstring TBC
Conor Nash Neck Season
Updated: August 25, 2026

In the mix

Sam Mitchell will have almost a full list to choose from for the trip to Perth next week. Jack Ginnivan missed the trip west last weekend due to a back issue but will be available to face Fremantle. Jack Dalton replaced Ginnivan in round 24, while Max Beattie impressed with 2.2 against the Eagles in his second game. Ned Reeves, Calsher Dear and Sam Butler were included in the squad against West Coast. - Josh Gabelich

PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Jed Adams Knee Season
Jai Culley Knee Season
Blake Howes Arm 1 week
Matt Jefferson Knee Test
Jake Lever Toe Test
Thomas Matthews Shoulder Season
Brody Mihocek Neck Season
Andy Moniz-Wakefield Knee Season
Jacob van Rooyen Suspension 2 matches
Updated: August 25, 2026

In the mix

Injuries have hit Melbourne at the wrong time of the year, with key pillars Lever and Jefferson under an injury cloud ahead of Saturday night's wildcard final. But there's good news, with Daniel Turner cleared to play after scans showed no ligament damage from hyperextending his knee against the Bulldogs. Jefferson also hyperextended his knee, and while he's also avoided ligament damage, he does have bone bruising. Lever suffered a ligament strain in his big toe and will race the clock to be fit for the Demons' cut-throat final. Coach Steven King flagged on Tuesday that he could lean on experience if changes are needed, with veteran Jack Viney a chance for a shock recall despite playing just one VFL game this year due to Achilles and back issues. The retiring Jake Melksham could also come in to add some forward firepower, while big man Max Heath, defender Lukas Cooke and the electric Latrelle Pickett are others in the mix. - Alison O'Connor

PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Joel Amartey Achilles 1 week
Riley Bice Suspended Season
Nick Blakey Suspended Season
Noah Chamberlain Hamstring 2-3 weeks
Will Edwards Leg Season
Liam Hetherton Back Season
Isaac Heeney Suspended Season
James Jordon Suspended Season
Max King Back Season
Peter Ladhams Groin TBC
Hayden McLean Concussion Test
Justin McInerney Hamstring 1-2 weeks
Lewis Melican Back Test
Chad Warner Suspended Season
Updated: August 25, 2026

In the mix

With a much-needed weekend off ahead of them, the focus of the Swans will be centred on Amartey and McInerney who are racing to be fit for the qualifying final against Brisbane. While both may well be declared medically fit, conditioning will also be a concern given they have been sidelined since round 16 and round 13 respectively. If Amartey doesn't get up, McLean passing through concussion protocols - as expected - takes on even more importance. The Swans also have a VFL elimination final on Saturday, giving those on the fringes another chance to impress - including Jevan Phillipou after his six-goal, 25-disposal game last week - as Dean Cox re-assesses what his best 23 looks like after the scandal of last week. McLean and Melican could also play in the twos to prepare them for a possible AFL return against the Lions. - Martin Smith

PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN
Nick Coffield Concussion Test
Sam Darcy Knee Season
Tim English Knee Test
Riley Garcia Hamstring Season
Will Lewis Calf 1-3 weeks
Tom Liberatore Knee TBC
Aaron Naughton Ankle Test
Lachie Smith Hamstring 3-4 weeks
Adam Treloar Calf 2-4 weeks
Updated: August 25, 2026

In the mix

Luke Beveridge will be sweating on the availability of two key players this Friday night. English is pushing to be available ahead of schedule after missing the past fortnight with an MCL injury. Naughton is expected to be available after injuring his ankle in the win over Melbourne in round 24. Liberatore won't be available after undergoing knee surgery in recent days and will need the Dogs to progress deep to play again this year. Jordan Croft was omitted last week and will be considered. - Josh Gabelich