Max Holmes is seen on crutches after the round 19 match between Geelong and St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium, on July 16, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos
Check out the injury updates from all 18 clubs.
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Hugh Bond
Hamstring
3-4 weeks
Darcy Fogarty
Suspension
Round 23
Mitch Hinge
Hamstring
1-2 weeks
Rory Laird
Ankle
3 weeks
Luke Pedlar
Hamstring
TBC
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
Veteran forward Taylor Walker will push for an immediate recall after being managed last week, with a clear opening in the forward line after Fogarty’s three-game suspension was upheld. Changes will otherwise be minimal after a brilliant win against Sydney, with wingman Billy Dowling and key defenders Nick Murray and Jordon Butts among those pushing for selection. Forward Finnbar Maley was also impressive at SANFL level, booting three goals and taking nine marks in an imposing aerial performance. On the injury front, Pedlar suffered a hamstring setback in the SANFL, with the club investigating the extent but confirming it did not look like a low-level strain. Bond suffered a medial hamstring strain, while Laird continues to recover from a low-level syndesmosis injury in his left ankle. – Nathan Schmook
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Darcy Gardiner
Hamstring
2-3 weeks
Jack Payne
Knee
Season
Henry Smith
Foot
Season
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
The big decision for the Lions is whether to bring Oscar Allen back to face Port Adelaide on Sunday after his successful return from a foot injury through the VFL at the weekend. Coach Chris Fagan said he’d like to try the three tall forward set-up – alongside Logan Morris and Eric Hipwood – but who to leave out of a team that has won six straight games is difficult. Bruce Reville will be back from a personal absence last weekend, while veteran Dayne Zorko is expected to take his place after suffering some “hamstring awareness” against West Coast. – Michael Whiting
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Matt Carroll
Knee
Season
Harry McKay
Knee
Test
Rob Monahan
Shoulder
Season
Jesse Motlop
Knee
Season
Harry O’Farrell
Knee
Season
Marc Pittonet
Hamstring
Test
Jacob Weitering
Calf
3-4 weeks
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
The Blues are confident Adam Cerra (hamstring) will be fit to play against the Suns on Saturday, while Lewis Young (concussion) has exited protocols. He could be an option to play forward if McKay doesn’t pass a fitness test later this week. Hudson O’Keeffe and Flynn Young are also a chance to get injected into the attack. Pittonet will also face a fitness test, with Liam Reidy and Flynn Riley on standby to feature again. The VFL side had the bye across the weekend, so there is no exposed form to select from, but Jordan Boyd was among the emergencies last week and will be considered. – Riley Beveridge
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Josh Daicos
Ankle
Test
Jamie Elliott
Knee
Season
Reef McInnes
Knee
Season
Darcy Moore
Hamstring
Season
Lachie Schultz
Ankle
1-3 weeks
Oscar Steene
Knee
Season
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
Daicos will be named and make the trip to South Australia but the Copeland Trophy winner will need to prove his fitness closer to the bounce after missing training on Tuesday due to an ankle injury. Jeremy Howe will return against the Crows, while veteran midfielders Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom are expected to play off the five-day break. Tough to see too many unforced changes after five straight wins. – Josh Gabelich
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Xavier Duursma
Hamstring
Season
Tom Edwards
Hamstring
1 week
Brayden Fiorini
Back
Season
Kayle Gerreyn
Knee
2 weeks
Lewis Hayes
Knee
Season
Kyle Langford
Suspension
Round 21
Nic Martin
Knee
Season
Archie May
Shoulder
Season
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
The Bombers will be forced into at least two changes for their clash against Hawthorn after an improved performance that led to a breakthrough win over Greater Western Sydney. Duursma and Langford will make way, but young gun Nate Caddy has been cleared to train and play after dealing with an elevated heart rate. Nik Cox (19 disposals and seven goals) was outstanding in the VFL, while Elijah Tsatas (36 and two) was prolific again. Zak Johnson (30), Saad El-Hawli (26), Will Setterfield (26, 10 tackles and one goal) and Darcy Parish (22, 10 clearances and nine tackles) were also among Essendon’s better performers in the VFL, while Archie Perkins was a carryover emergency. – Dejan Kalinic
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Charlie Nicholls
Finger
2-3 weeks
Jaeger O’Meara
Ankle
TBC
Sam Sturt
Quad
1 week
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
Shai Bolton trained fully on Tuesday and looks ready to return after being managed for the trip to take on Port Adelaide last week. Bolton still had strapping on his hand but got through the session and will be a crucial inclusion for Friday night’s Western Derby, replacing injured midfielder O’Meara, who has escaped surgery after a syndesmosis injury. Whether Sean Darcy should replace Mason Cox remains a discussion point at least, while Corey Wagner, Jeremy Sharp and Chris Scerri loom as options for the match committee if further changes are made based on form. Don’t expect players to be managed this week as the Dockers look to sharpen elements of their game. – Nathan Schmook
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Harley Barker
Knee
TBC
Tanner Bruhn
Neck
Test
Jeremy Cameron
Shoulder
3-5 weeks
Toby Conway
Foot/Knee
TBC
Max Holmes
Ankle
8-10 weeks
Shaun Mannagh
Hamstring
Test
Rhys Stanley
Hamstring
Test
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
Geelong’s injury concerns continued in last Thursday’s win over St Kilda, with Holmes undergoing successful surgery last Friday for a fractured right ankle and syndesmosis injury. Expected to miss eight to 10 weeks, Holmes may only feature again this season if the Cats make a deep run in September. Omitted pair Jack Bowes and Mitch Knevitt are in line to replace him. Meanwhile, Mannagh sat out the final quarter against the Saints as a precaution. He will be assessed this week before clearing him for Friday night’s clash with Melbourne, while Bruhn and Stanley also face fitness tests, despite both returning to full training. Mark Blicavs, Jake Kolodjashnij, and Jack Martin are all set to return after being managed, while Cameron has resumed light running at the club as he targets a return in three to five weeks. – Emily Patterson
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Koby Coulson
Hamstring
Test
Will Graham
Shoulder
Season
Lachie Gulbin
Hand
Test
Elliott Himmelberg
Knee
Season
Jake Rogers
Ankle
Test
Lachie Weller
Hamstring
1-3 weeks
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
Despite suffering eight straight losses, there’s not a heap of places for Damien Hardwick to turn ahead of playing Carlton on Saturday, although some VFL players did put their hand up last week. Charlie Ballard was again solid in defence and could be given a look, with Sam Clohesy (35 disposals) continuing to gather plenty of the ball at the lower level. Alex Davies (20) made a successful return from injury and is a chance to add some starch to a midfield group that hasn’t quite got the balance right during the losing streak. – Michael Whiting
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Leek Aleer
Groin
TBC
Kieren Briggs
Leg
1 week
Jack Buckley
Calf
TBC
Brent Daniels
Calf
TBC
Phoenix Gothard
Shoulder
Season
Tom Green
Knee
Season
Toby Greene
Quad
3-4 weeks
Ollie Hannaford
Foot
Test
Jesse Hogan
Finger
TBC
Darcy Jones
Knee
2 weeks
Josh Kelly
Hip
Season
Jake Riccardi
Ankle
1-2 weeks
Nathan Wardius
Knee
Season
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
Greene is set to miss three to four weeks with a quad strain suffered against Essendon. In a “Toby for Toby” swap, Toby McMullin could make his senior return after gathering 22 disposals and a goal in the VFL. Harvey Thomas is set to return after resting during last week’s loss, while Hannaford is a test to return from a foot injury if he clears Thursday’s main training session. Briggs remains sidelined for another week to allow a leg wound infection to heal. Riccardi and Jones are nearing returns as they build up full training, while Daniels resumes running later this week. After undergoing shoulder surgery on Monday, Gothard will sit out the rest of the season. – Emily Patterson
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Karl Amon
Knee
2-3 weeks
Jack Dalton
Knee
4-5 weeks
Henry Hustwaite
Face
3 weeks
Conor Nash
Neck
TBC
Flynn Perez
Abdominal
Test
Ned Reeves
Knee
1-2 weeks
Jack Scrimshaw
Knee
3-4 weeks
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
Will Day will return against Essendon on Saturday after dealing with a corked calf in round 19. Jack Ginnivan was managed after half-time against Richmond due to a back issue but will also face the Bombers. Reeves remains sidelined with a knee injury. Calsher Dear and Aidan Schubert both kicked a couple of goals in the VFL, where Finn Maginness was busy with 35 touches. Mid-season recruit Max Beattie was included in Sam Mitchell’s squad last weekend and is edging towards a debut. – Josh Gabelich
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Jai Culley
Knee
Season
Changkuoth Jiath
Leg
Test
Jack Henderson
Knee
Test
Xavier Lindsay
Hip/groin
1 week
Brody Mihocek
Neck
Season
Andy Moniz-Wakefield
Knee
Season
Daniel Turner
Ribs
2-4 weeks
Jack Viney
Achilles/back
TBC
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
Harrison Petty has been passed fit after failing to come up for last week’s game against North Melbourne, and is the logical replacement for Turner in Friday night’s pivotal clash with Geelong at the MCG. Christian Salem collected 26 disposals in a full VFL game and could replace Jiath as a running defender if the former Hawk is sidelined. Tom McDonald impressed up forward with three goals and some stints in the ruck in Casey’s win over North, while Paddy Cross was outstanding with 24 disposals and three goals. Lindsay will return to full training this week, and is set for a VFL return on managed minutes next week after a long layoff. – Michael Rogers
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Jackson Archer
Knee
Season
Zac Banch
Hamstring
Test
Callum Coleman-Jones
Ankle
Test
Zane Duursma
Shoulder
TBC
Luke McDonald
Calf
Test
Toby Pink
Shoulder
Season
Tom Powell
Groin
Test
Blake Thredgold
Foot
Season
George Wardlaw
Hamstring
1-2 weeks
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
The Kangas could lose McDonald ahead of Sunday’s clash against the Saints, though Tom Blamires (concussion) has exited protocols and will be on standby as his potential replacement. Banch and Powell are also a chance to return this weekend, but likely through the VFL. However, Duursma is set to be sidelined as he considers surgery to repair an injured shoulder. Lachy Dovaston (15 disposals, four goals) and Jacob Konstanty (17 disposals, three goals) were among the best in the VFL over the weekend, while Griffin Logue (19 disposals, nine marks) also impressed. – Riley Beveridge
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Zak Butters
Ankle
4-5 weeks
Kane Farrell
Groin
TBC
Mitch Georgiades
Concussion
Test
Mani Liddy
Hip
Season
Ollie Lord
Knee
Season
Jack Lukosius
Baker’s cyst
1-2 weeks
Ewan Mackinlay
Knee
Season
Sam Powell-Pepper
Training block
Season
Esava Ratugolea
Knee
Season
joe Richards
Finger
3-4 weeks
Connor Rozee
Hamstring
Season
Josh Sinn
Shoulder
Season
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
Port will get a couple of stars back to face back-to-back premiers Brisbane on Sunday, with Jason Horne-Francis available following a one-match suspension and Georgiades just having to tick off the final stages of his concussion protocols to play. Losing Richards, who is in the midst of an excellent season, is a blow, but Horne-Francis’s return should cover his loss with a bit of a shuffle. The door is also still ajar for Butters to return in the final round or two of the season. – Michael Whiting
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Jasper Alger
Ankle
2 weeks
Harry Armstrong
Foot soreness
1 week
Noah Balta
Toe
TBC
Tom Burton
Groin
2 weeks
Jonty Faull
Back
Season
Josh Gibcus
ACL strain
Season
Campbell Gray
Hamstring
2 weeks
Steely Green
Concussion
TBC
Jacob Hopper
Ankle
Season
Ben Miller
Heel
1 week
Tom Sims
Toe
TBC
Josh Smillie
Quad
Season
Kaleb Smith
Quad
Season
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
Just when the Tigers looked to be waking from their injury nightmare they have been hit again. Balta will miss at least one week, as will Green after sustaining a concussion against Hawthorn, while Alger, Armstrong and Smith all copped injuries in the VFL and Hopper has been ruled out for the season. Zane Peucker impressed with three goals from 18 disposals at the lower level and could come in to replace Green, with Luke Trainor an option for Balta’s spot. One bright bit of news is Taj Hotton’s availability despite rolling his ankle last round. – Howard Kimber
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
James Barrat
Foot
6+ weeks
Tom De Koning
Ribs
Test
Sam Flanders
Achilles
Season
Max King
Conditioning
Test
Jack Sinclair
Calf
Season
Alix Tauru
Suspension
Round 21
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
St Kilda could regain two big names for Sunday’s crucial game against North Melbourne. King will play his first game since 2024 if he completes training this week, following a nightmare injury run. De Koning also faces a fitness test on Friday after missing a few weeks with a punctured lung and fractured ribs. Jack Macrae and Paddy Dow were both busy again in the VFL. – Josh Gabelich
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Joel Amartey
Achilles
7 weeks
Noah Chamberlain
Hamstring
6-7 weeks
Harry Cunningham
Concussion
TBC
Liam Hetherton
Back
Season
Max King
Back
Season
Peter Ladhams
Groin
TBC
Justin McInerney
Hamstring
3-4 weeks
Lewis Melican
Adductor
Test
Sam Wicks
Hamstring
1-2 weeks
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
As Cunningham enters concussion protocols following a knock against Adelaide, first-year player Harry Kyle could return to the side. Kyle made a strong case with 30 touches in Sydney’s VFL win over Brisbane after being omitted last week. Melican is also a chance to return, named as a test this week against GWS as he manages a low-grade adductor strain, while Ladhams continues rehabilitation for groin pain, with no set timeline for his return. – Emily Patterson
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Sam Allen
Knee/hamstring
5 weeks
Liam Baker
Suspension
Round 21
Harry Barnett
Abdominal/groin
Test
Tyler Brockman
Hamstring
Season
Malakai Champion
Hand
Test
Cooper Duff-Tytler
Calf
Test
Harry Edwards
Concussion
Season
Reuben Ginbey
Quad
4-5 weeks
Jack Hutchinson
Hamstring
2-3 weeks
Josh Lindsay
Quad
Test
Noah Long
Knee
Season
Jacob Newton
Foot
Season
Archer Reid
Knee
Season
Deven Robertson
Knee
Season
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
Harley Reid has bounced back from the ankle issue he played through on Saturday night and will be available this week, but there will be at least two forced changes after co-captain Liam Baker was suspended and Hutchinson suffered his third hamstring injury this season. The setbacks should open the door for skilful half-back Lindsay to return after a minor quad injury and potentially midfielder Elijah Hewett too. The Eagles need to find a third tall defender this week and could either call up Sandy Brock or play Jack Williams as a permanent key defender, bringing Duff-Tytler in to play as a second ruck off the bench. Midfielder/forward Tom Gross and Lucca Grego are pushing for late-season games after limited opportunities this season, while pre-season selection Harry Schoenberg is in form. – Nathan Schmook
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Connor Budarick
Ankle
4-6 weeks
Bailey Dale
Shoulder
4-6 weeks
Sam Darcy
Knee
Season
Riley Garcia
Hamstring
Indefinite
Tom Liberatore
General soreness
Test
Adam Treloar
Calf
4-6 weeks
Laith Vandermeer
Hamstring
Test
Updated: July 21, 2026
In the mix
Liberatore faces a fitness test later this week after being a late withdrawal in Queensland ahead of Sunday’s game against Gold Coast. Garcia was picked and then reinjured his hamstring on the Gold Coast and now faces another stint on the sidelines. Treloar suffered another soft tissue setback and now faces an uphill battle to return this season. – Josh Gabelich