MADE POSSIBLE BYMLC

MICHAEL Hurley, Darcy Moore, Toby Nankervis, Nic Naitanui ... some big names are still on the injury list ahead of the first week of finals.

Who will be right and who is struggling? We find out when your wounded stars will be back. 

BRISBANE

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Allen Christensen Hamstring Test
 Tom Joyce Shin 2 weeks
 Updated: Tuesday, August 27

Early prognosis

Christensen should be available to play Richmond. The strain was better than expected, initially listed as a week. He's had a week off and now with almost two full weeks to prepare, unless there's a relapse, he should be right to go. - Michael Whiting 

COLLINGWOOD

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 James Aish Shoulder Test
 Dayne Beams Shoulder/Hip Season
 Mason Cox Eye Season
 Jordan De Goey Hamstring Test
 Lynden Dunn Knee Season
 Will Kelly Hamstring Season
 Tom Langdon Knee Season
 Darcy Moore Hamstring Test
 Sam Murray Provisional ASADA suspension TBC
 Isaac Quaynor Foot TBC
 Ben Reid Hamstring TBC
 Matt Scharenberg Concussion Test
 Steele Sidebottom Ruptured testicle Test
 Brayden Sier Calf Test
 Josh Thomas Knee TBC
 Updated: Tuesday, August 27

Early prognosis

Moore has escaped further hamstring damage and the club says he remains in the frame for the qualifying final against Geelong, while Thomas and Scharenberg appear more likely starters after suffering mishaps in the final round win over Essendon. Jaidyn Stephenson will return after serving his 10-game suspension and Sidebottom, De Goey and Aish also hope to be available. Sier copped a knock in the Pies' final VFL game for the season while the unlucky Murphy sustained another injury – nerve damage to his neck. It's also unlikely we'll see Quaynor again this season, while Reid also faces an uphill battle. The campaign is already over for Cox, Langdon, Beams and Dunn. - Ben Collins

ESSENDON

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Zac Clarke Leg 1-2 weeks
 Joe Daniher Groin Season
 Sam Draper Knee Season
 Orazio Fantasia Hip Available
 Aaron Francis Ankle  Available
 Noah Gown Foot Season
 Matt Guelfi Knee Season
 Dyson Heppell Foot Available
 Cale Hooker Groin Available
 Michael Hurley Shoulder Test
 Irving Mosquito Hamstring Season
 Kobe Mutch Knee Season
 Will Snelling Foot Test
 Devon Smith Knee Season
 James Stewart Groin Season
 Jake Stringer Soreness Available
 David Zaharakis Ankle TBC
 Updated: Tuesday, August 27

Early prognosis

The Bombers' major concern ahead of next week's elimination final clash with West Coast is Hurley and his troublesome shoulder. He's touch-and-go, with the club hopeful more than confident that he'll be fine to play. The Bombers were without stars Heppell (foot), Fantasia (hip), Stringer (hamstring) and Hooker (illness) against the Magpies but they all should return in to meet the Eagles at Optus Stadium. Snelling is expected back in the VFL this week. - Callum Twomey

GEELONG

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Tom Atkins Hand Test
 Jordan Clark Elbow Test
 Nakia Cockatoo Hamstring Test
 Jordan Cunico Ankle Season
 Lachie Fogarty Hamstring Test
 Jake Kolodjashnij Hip Test
 Stefan Okunbor Soreness Test
 Updated: Tuesday, August 27

Early prognosis

Kolodjashnij should be fit to return and renew acquaintances with Collingwood forward Jordan De Goey after taking the cautious approach with his hip last week. Clark is back training, but it remains to be seen whether the Cats will recall him in the VFL or AFL. Atkins will be cleared to return from hand surgery, while Fogarty is back in full training. Cockatoo has now missed three weeks since playing only a half in a VFL match and may not even be risked for a VFL final. Cunico has now been ruled out for the season after initially hoping to get back for VFL finals, while Okunbor is a test for the VFL after missing last week.- Mitch Cleary

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Stephen Coniglio Knee 1-2 weeks
 Brett Deledio Calf 1-2 weeks
 Matt Flynn Knee Season
 Toby Greene Calf Test
 Nick Haynes Fractured larynx 1-2 weeks
 Jacob Hopper Hamstring Test
 Zac Langdon Ankle Test
 Jonathon Patton Knee Season
 Callan Ward Knee Season
 Updated: Tuesday, August 27

Early prognosis

Greene and Hopper will return against the Bulldogs in the elimination final barring any setbacks on the track this week or next. Haynes sees a specialist in the next few days and if he's cleared for contact work he could also play. Deledio is tracking well but will need everything to go right to be available, while Coniglio will likely come up short and needs the Giants to win to play again this year. - Adam Curley

RICHMOND

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Jack Higgins Brain bleed Season
 Toby Nankervis Adductor Test
 Alex Rance Knee Season
 Sydney Stack Ankle TBC
 Updated: Tuesday, August 27

Early prognosis

Nankervis will have to get through training this week to be any chance of playing in Richmond's VFL final against Essendon on Saturday. Stack's recovery timeframe from ankle surgery is still up in the air but won't be rushed back. - Sarah Black

WEST COAST

 Jarrod Brander Hamstring Season
 Mark Hutchings Hamstring 2 weeks
 Nic Naitanui Ankle Test
 Josh Smith Hamstring 1 week
 Daniel Venables Concussion Season
 Updated: Tuesday, August 27

Early prognosis

Naitanui will ramp things up during Friday's main training session and if he gets through that unscathed he should be back for next Thursday's elimination final against Essendon. There is a watch on Shannon Hurn (hamstring), Tom Barrass (finger) and Brad Sheppard (ribs) but it would surprise if any of that defensive trio missed the Bombers clash. Smith could be back for West Coast's WAFL side in its finals debut this Sunday.Travis King

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Player

Injury

Estimated Return

 Caleb Daniel Hamstring 3-5 weeks
 Tory Dickson Hamstring Test
 Ryan Gardner Knee Test
 Fergus Greene Shoulder Season
 Lin Jong Hamstring Test
 Tom Liberatore Knee Indefinite
 Dale Morris Knee Season
 Mitch Wallis Ankle Season
 Updated: Tuesday, August 27

Early prognosis

Although coach Luke Beveridge said on Monday that Liberatore was a chance for the first final, it's still highly unlikely the midfielder will be available. The Dogs played it safe with Dickson's tight hamstring last week and they have officially put a line through Wallis' season. - Josh Schonafinger

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