The latest injury update ahead of round 24.
Essendon skipper Zach Merrett will return for his 250th career game on Thursday night against Carlton.
The Captain underwent successful surgery on a metacarpal fracture in his hand last week, and following consultation with a surgeon on Monday, he’s been officially cleared to play in the Club’s final home game at the MCG.
Forward Liam McMahon will also be available for selection – scans showed no structural damage after the mid-season pick’s hand was stomped on late in last Friday’s defeat to the Saints. He’s trained fully this week and is expected to line up on Thursday.
Defender Jayden Laverde was subbed out of last week’s match against the Saints after receiving a heavy knock to his hip in a marking contest. He is expected to train fully this week and take his place in the team to play Carlton.Â
Elijah Tsatas will remain on the sideline this week having not yet fully recovered from a hamstring injury that’s sidelined him since round 19.
Hamstring
1 week
Scans confirmed a hamstring strain for Tsatas following round 18.
Syndesmosis
1 week
Caldwell will undergo surgery after a syndesmosis injury in round 17.
Hamstring
1 week
Ridley is recovering from a hamstring strain.
Ankle
1 week
May suffered an ankle injury against the Cats in round 22.
Groin
TBC
Caddy will miss the round 23 clash with St Kilda due to a groin injury.
Foot
TBC
Ben McKay has a ruptured plantar plate in his foot.
Achilles
Season
Draper suffered a ruptured Achilles late in the round six win over West Coast.
Calf
Season
Parish is recovering from a calf strain sustained at training.
Foot
Season
Will Setterfield injured his foot against Richmond and will miss the remainder of 2025.
Concussion
Season
Cox suffered the effects of a concussion from his return to VFL.
ACL
Season
Hayes suffered an ACL injury during his debut game against Sydney in round nine.
Ankle
Season
Jones dislocated his ankle in round eight.
ACL
Season
Nick Bryan suffered an ACL tear in round five against Melbourne.
Hamstring
Season
Reid will undergo surgery on his hamstring, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
ACL
Season
Martin tore his ACL in the round 18 clash against Richmond.
ACL
Season
Edwards has suffered a ruptured ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.
5. Elijah Tsatas
Scans confirmed a hamstring strain for Tsatas following round 18.
Injury: Hamstring
Est. Return: 1 week
6. Jye Caldwell
Caldwell will undergo surgery after a syndesmosis injury in round 17.
Injury: Syndesmosis
Est. Return: 1 week
Injury: Hamstring
Est. Return: 1 week
26. Archie May
May suffered an ankle injury against the Cats in round 22.
Injury: Ankle
Est. Return: 1 week
30. Nate Caddy
Caddy will miss the round 23 clash with St Kilda due to a groin injury.
Injury: Groin
Est. Return: TBC
32. Ben McKay
Ben McKay has a ruptured plantar plate in his foot.
Injury: Foot
Est. Return: TBC
2. Sam Draper
Draper suffered a ruptured Achilles late in the round six win over West Coast.
Injury: Achilles
Est. Return: Season
3. Darcy Parish
Parish is recovering from a calf strain sustained at training.
Injury: Calf
Est. Return: Season
12. Will Setterfield
Will Setterfield injured his foot against Richmond and will miss the remainder of 2025.
Injury: Foot
Est. Return: Season
13. Nik Cox
Cox suffered the effects of a concussion from his return to VFL.
Injury: Concussion
Est. Return: Season
18. Lewis Hayes
Hayes suffered an ACL injury during his debut game against Sydney in round nine.
Injury: ACL
Est. Return: Season
Injury: Ankle
Est. Return: Season
24. Nick Bryan
Nick Bryan suffered an ACL tear in round five against Melbourne.
Injury: ACL
Est. Return: Season
31. Zach Reid
Reid will undergo surgery on his hamstring, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
Injury: Hamstring
Est. Return: Season
37. Nic Martin
Martin tore his ACL in the round 18 clash against Richmond.
Injury: ACL
Est. Return: Season
45. Thomas Edwards
Edwards has suffered a ruptured ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.
Injury: ACL
Est. Return: Season