Archie May is seen injured during Essendon’s clash against West Coast in round 12, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos
Check out the injury updates from all 18 clubs.
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Isaac Cumming
Hamstring
TBC
Sid Draper
Jaw
1 week
Mitch Hinge
Ankle
Test
Izak Rankine
Calf
1 week
Riley Thilthorpe
Suspension
Round 14
Tyler Welsh
Hamstring
TBC
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
The Crows emerge from their mid-season bye without star forward Thilthorpe (suspension), with veteran Taylor Walker set to replace him after returning from a hamstring injury in the SANFL. The Crows will also unearth mid-season draftee Hugo Hall-Kahan as a running defender in his debut. Rankine will be sidelined after suffering a calf injury, with Luke Pedlar an option to replace him. Callum Ah Chee is available after a thumb injury. Key defender Mark Keane is available for his first game this season. The Crows could opt to ease him back through the SANFL after a long lay-off with a lower leg fracture. Nick Murray is also an option to return as a key defender, while Hinge faces a fitness test on his injured ankle.– Nathan Schmook
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Oscar Allen
Foot
7-8 weeks
Dan Annable
Shoulder
8-9 weeks
Keidean Coleman
Hamstring
5-6 weeks
Tom Doedee
Calf
6 weeks
Eric Hipwood
Knee
1 week
Ryan Lester
Calf
3 weeks
Lincoln McCarthy
Hamstring
1 week
Will McLachlan
Quad
8-10 weeks
Jack Payne
Knee
TBC
Henry Smith
Foot
3 weeks
Reece Torrent
Ankle
5-6 weeks
Dayne Zorko
Quad
5 weeks
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
More shuffling required for the Lions with Coleman’s injury paving the way for a possible Shadeau Brain inclusion. Jimmy Tunstill could also come under consideration there. Darragh Joyce has been strong in the VFL, which opens the door for Chris Fagan to recall him and shuffle Ty Gallop to his preferred forward line position to offer another tall target alongside Logan Morris. – Michael Whiting
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Lucas Camporeale
Kidney
2 weeks
Matt Carroll
Knee
Season
Ollie Hollands
Ankle
2 weeks
Rob Monahan
Shoulder
Season
Jesse Motlop
Knee
Season
Harry O’Farrell
Knee
TBC
Liam Reidy
Ankle
2 weeks
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
It’s suddenly a hard Blues side to crack after three straight wins leading into Sunday night’s clash against the Bombers. Cooper Lord (26 disposals, three goals) was fantastic in the VFL over the weekend, while Ben Camporeale (29 disposals, six clearances) continues to push for a debut. Matt Cottrell (26 disposals, one goal) is another who keeps plugging away for a recall. Wade Derksen, Zac Williams and Hudson O’Keeffe were among the emergencies last weekend. – Riley Beveridge
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Joel Cochran
AC joint
1-2 weeks
Jamie Elliott
Knee
Season
Will Hayes
Shoulder
3-4 weeks
Noah Howes
Shoulder
4-5 weeks
Reef McInnes
Knee
Season
Darcy Moore
Hamstring
TBC
Harry Perryman
Hamstring
Test
Oscar Steene
Knee
Season
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
The Magpies could regain Perryman in what would be a boost ahead of the King’s Birthday clash against Melbourne. Captain Moore has travelled overseas as part of his rehabilitation after suffering a hamstring injury. Sam Swadling (18 disposals and a goal in the VFL) has been pushing for a debut, while mid-season recruit Mitch Podhajski had 10 disposals and kicked 2.4 in his first game for the club. Lachie Sullivan (30 disposals and 11 tackles) and Jakob Ryan (33) were also good in the VFL, while Jack Buller kicked three goals. Another mid-season recruit, Harrison Coe had 14 touches and 16 hitouts and is an option if the Pies want to play two rucks. – Dejan Kalinic
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Jye Caldwell
Ankle
3 weeks
Angus Clarke
Foot
1 week
Brayden Fiorini
Back
Season
Matt Guelfi
Hamstring
2-3 weeks
Lewis Hayes
Knee
Season
Zak Johnson
Foot
6-7 weeks
Isaac Kako
Back
2-3 weeks
Nic Martin
Knee
Season
Archie May
Shoulder
TBC
Andrew McGrath
Jaw
3 weeks
Liam McMahon
Ankle
2-3 weeks
Dyson Sharp
Shoulder
1-2 weeks
Rhys Unwin
Hamstring
2-3 weeks
Vigo Visentini
Hamstring
3 weeks
Peter Wright
Knee
5-6 weeks
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
In yet another cruel blow, Hayes has re-injured his ACL, having just made his return in the VFL on Sunday. May is also sidelined to add to a lengthy injury list, but there is at least some good news ahead of Sunday night’s clash against Carlton. Sam Durham is set to return from his concussion, while the Bombers should also regain defender Mason Redman. In more good news, Jordan Ridley has been cleared to return, while a group of others – including Sharp – are closing in on comebacks. Only five AFL-listed players featured in the VFL, with Hussien El Achkar (11 disposals and two goals) continuing to hit the scoreboard. Jayden Nguyen didn’t feature at any level after being the carryover emergency in the AFL. – Dejan Kalinic
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Brennan Cox
Knee
Test
Matthew Johnson
Hamstring
Test
Ollie Murphy
Knee
1-2 weeks
Caleb Serong
Calf
1 week
Sam Sturt
Knee/quad
3-4 weeks
Brandon Walker
Concussion
TBC
Hayden Young
Concussion
Test
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
Young was in and out of drills at Tuesday’s training session and will push to return later in the week after progressing well through concussion protocols. Injured pair Cox and Johnson both ran well and also face fitness tests after suffering minor injuries against Brisbane. Key defender Oscar McDonald and midfielder Jeremy Sharp are next in line if change is needed, with experienced pair Jaeger O’Meara and Bailey Banfield also looming as strong options and highlighting the Dockers’ enviable depth. Ruckman Sean Darcy returned from injury through the WAFL at the weekend and was impressive, with the Dockers considering when to recall the big man. – Nathan Schmook
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Harley Barker
Knee
Indefinite
Toby Conway
Foot/Knee
TBC
Nick Driscoll
Concussion
TBC
Lawson Humphries
Ankle
Test
Keighton Matofai-Forbes
Foot
1 week
Jay Polkinghorne
Foot
Test
Tyson Stengle
Conditioning
Individualised program
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
Jack Martin is set to return after being managed against the Blues. While Humphries is listed as a test to play on Thursday night, the club noted his inclusion comes with some risk. Consequently, the Cats may choose to play it safe, so he does not re-injure himself before the bye, meaning he is no guarantee despite pulling up well from last week’s match. Polkinghorne is also a test, while Jhye Clark and Jesse Mellor successfully returned to the VFL line-up last Saturday. Meanwhile, Conway is progressing well with his rehab and joined the main training session on Tuesday. – Emily Patterson
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Alex Davies
Foot
4-6 weeks
Jy Farrar
Ankle
6+ weeks
Ethan Read
Knee
1-3 weeks
Jake Rogers
Hamstring
Test
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Ankle
Test
Lachie Weller
Hamstring
1-3 weeks
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
Will Graham (concussion) will return for Saturday’s QClash against Brisbane after missing the pre-bye match against North Melbourne. Rogers will need to get through main training on Thursday to be considered, as will Ugle-Hagan, which would leave coach Damien Hardwick with the decision of selecting either the former Bulldog or veteran Jarrod Witts, who has been playing as a sidekick to Ned Moyle in recent weeks. Jai Murray is smashing the door down for a debut with his VFL form. – Michael Whiting
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Cody Angove
Hamstring
1 week
Ryan Angwin
Hand
1 week
Jack Buckley
Hamstring
4-5 weeks
Stephen Coniglio
Hamstring
3 weeks
Tom Green
Knee
Season
Jesse Hogan
Hip
1 week
Darcy Jones
Knee
4-5 weeks
Josh Kelly
Hip
TBC
Nick Madden
Knee
4-6 weeks
Xavier O’Halloran
Ankle
5-6 weeks
Jake Riccardi
Ankle
8 weeks
Logan Smith
Knee
TBC
Nathan Wardius
Knee
TBC
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
With a bye in round 13, several injured players will get an extra week to rest before returning for the second half of the season. Crucially, Hogan, Angwin, and Angove are all expected to be available after the bye. Meanwhile, scans have confirmed a low-grade hamstring strain for Coniglio, who is expected to miss two games following the break. Riccardi faces a lengthier stint on the sidelines. He is five days post-surgery for a syndesmosis injury and will miss the next eight weeks. – Emily Patterson
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Tom Barrass
Hamstring
Test
James Blanck
Hamstring
1 week
Conor Nash
Neck
Test
Jack Scrimshaw
Knee
1 week
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
The Hawks could be strengthened by the returns of Barrass and Nash for this week’s clash against the Bulldogs. Barrass has missed the past three matches, while Nash was a late withdrawal last week. Both will need to pass fitness tests at training on Wednesday to be available for selection. Scrimshaw won’t play at any level due to ongoing knee soreness. There were no real standouts in Box Hill’s loss to St Kilda last week so Sam Mitchell is unlikely to make many other changes. – Brandon Cohen
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Jed Adams
Knee
5-6 weeks
Jai Culley
Knee
Season
Changkuoth Jiath
Knee
Test
Aidan Johnson
Hip/groin
1-2 weeks
Jake Lever
Concussion
Test
Xavier Lindsay
Hip/groin
4-6 weeks
Andy Moniz-Wakefield
Knee
Season
Latrelle Pickett
Quad
Test
Christian Salem
Foot
4-6 weeks
Jack Viney
Achilles
TBC
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
A less than inspiring performance against GWS could see some change to the Demons’ line-up to face Collingwood on King’s Birthday. Mid-season pick-up Joel Fitzgerald (39 disposals, 12 clearances, one goal) put his hand up for an early debut with a starring performance in the VFL, while untried key forward Luker Kentfield (eight goals in the past two weeks) and veteran Jake Melksham (five goals) continue to stake their claim. Max Heath (17 disposals, eight clearances, 33 hitouts) also did enough to warrant a recall if Max Gawn needs some support. Lever is a chance to return to face the Magpies if he passes concussion protocols before Monday, while L.Pickett and Jiath both pulled up sore from the game in Alice Springs and will need to pass a fitness test ahead of the blockbuster at the ‘G. As confirmed on Monday, NGA product Moniz-Wakefield will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining an ACL rupture in just his second game back from the same injury. In positive news, important duo Salem and Lindsay have begun running as they push to return later in the season. – Alison O’Connor
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Jackson Archer
Knee
Season
Callum Coleman-Jones
Concussion
1 week
Tom Powell
Groin
2-3 weeks
River Stevens
Knee
1 week
Blake Thredgold
Foot
Season
Luke Urquhart
Knee
TBC
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
The Kangas head to Western Australia after the bye ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Dockers. Zac Fisher and Cooper Harvey had been pressing for selection before the week off, while Zac Banch (hamstring) is available again. – Riley Beveridge
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Miles Bergman
Toe
4-6 weeks
Kane Farrell
Adductor
Test
Ollie Lord
Knee
Season
Jack Lukosius
Groin
Test
Sam Powell-Pepper
Knee
2-3 weeks
Connor Rozee
Hamstring
TBC
Josh Sinn
Shoulder
Season
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
A couple of experienced inclusions likely for Saturday’s match against West Coast at Optus Stadium with Lachie Jones back from concussion and Lukosius likely. Lukosius needs to get through Wednesday’s main session to be available for his fifth match of the season, with his selection offering a lead-up forward to complement Mitch Georgiades in the front half of the ground. Jackson Mead could also come under consideration after a solid SANFL performance before the bye. – Michael Whiting
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Harry Armstrong
Foot
2-5 weeks
Tom Brown
Arm
Test
Judson Clarke
ACL
2-5 weeks
Jonty Faull
Concussion
TBC
Josh Gibcus
ACL strain
Season
Campbell Gray
Hamstring
6-10 weeks
Taj Hotton
Hip
Test
Sam Lalor
Achilles
3-5 weeks
Tom Lynch
Larynx
TBC
Rhyan Mansell
Foot
3-5 weeks
Kane McAuliffe
Achilles
1-5 weeks
Toby Nankervis
Hamstring
Test
Zane Peucker
Ankle
Test
Hugo Ralphsmith
Suspension
Round 16
Jack Ross
Concussion
TBC
Samson Ryan
Concussion
TBC
Tom Sims
MCL
TBC
Josh Smillie
Quad
TBC
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
Ross and Ryan both developed concussion symptoms after their matches. There’s a chance the pair, as well as Faull, may be available after the Tigers’ bye this weekend, but the club has listed all three as TBC, “given the unpredictable nature of concussions”. Ralphsmith is set to be unavailable for Richmond’s next two matches (not including the bye), after being offered a suspension in the VFL for an off-the-ball strike, but Maurice Rioli jnr has recovered from his hamstring injury. Kaleb Smith (37 disposals, seven marks) is building some nice form in the VFL. – Sarah Black
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Hunter Clark
Knee
3-4 weeks
Kye Fincher
Foot
2-3 weeks
Sam Flanders
Achilles
Season
Jack Higgins
Knee
2-3 weeks
Dougal Howard
Calf
TBC
Max King
Hamstring
2-3 weeks
Mitch Owens
Calf
Test
Liam Ryan
Calf
Test
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
Calf
Test
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
The potential return of star trio Wanganeen-Milera, Owens and Ryan would be a welcome boost for Sunday’s clash against Sydney after the Saints’ underwhelming performance against Hawthorn last week. The Saints struggled offensively against the Hawks, but the addition of Owens and Ryan in particular would free up Anthony Caminiti to play as a defender while also allowing Jack Silvagni to return to the backline. Doing so would likely push Isaac Keeler out of the side, while Wanganeen-Milera’s return would mean a handful of other Saints are on the chopping block after a dour night for the side. Flanders will come out of the team, his season over after suffering an Achilles injury against the Hawks, while King inches closer to a return from yet another injury. Liam Stocker was managed but featured in the VFL. – Sophie Welsh
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Taylor Adams
Hamstring
1-2 weeks
Riak Andrew
Quad
7 weeks
Ned Bowman
Calf
Test
Braeden Campbell
Leg
6-7 weeks
Noah Chamberlain
Hamstring
2-3 weeks
Will Green
Foot
3-4 weeks
Errol Gulden
Shoulder
3-4 weeks
Liam Hetherton
Back
5 months
Max King
Back
7 weeks
Justin McInerney
Ankle
Test
Lewis Melican
Hamstring
2-3 weeks
Callum Mills
Calf
Test
Tom Papley
Calf
6 weeks
Dane Rampe
Calf
4 weeks
Matt Roberts
Groin
Test
Malcolm Rosas
Ankle
Test
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
McInerney did not run out the match against Richmond after rolling his ankle and is a test to play this weekend. Similarly, Mills is a test to return after experiencing calf tightness following the game against Geelong, while Rosas jnr, Roberts, and Bowman are also having their fitness assessed ahead of the weekend. Brodie Grundy is set to return after being rested against the Tigers. Meanwhile, Melican suffered a minor hamstring strain and will miss two to three weeks. Chamberlain was also removed from the VFL match against Richmond, with scans revealing a high-grade hamstring injury. His return timeline is still to be confirmed. – Emily Patterson
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Sam Allen
Knee/hamstring
9-11 weeks
Jamie Cripps
Knee
TBC
Harry Edwards
Concussion
TBC
Jack Graham
Shoulder
1-2 weeks
Jack Hutchinson
Hamstring
1-2 weeks
Noah Long
Knee
Season
Jacob Newton
Foot
Season
Deven Robertson
Knee
Season
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
Gun backline recruit Brandon Starcevich is expected to make his club debut after recovering from a calf injury and playing back-to-back games in the WAFL to build match conditioning. His availability is a massive boost to a backline that has found its feet in recent weeks. Prized draftee Cooper Duff-Tytler was pulled out of the WAFL as a precautionary emergency for Jake Waterman last week, but he impressed the week prior and could break back in. Mid-season recruits Marcus Herbert and Oliver Francou showed their class immediately against Peel Thunder but are expected to be given more time to settle before making AFL debuts. Elijah Hewett (21 disposals in the WAFL) found form and remains available. – Nathan Schmook
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Jedd Busslinger
Shoulder
Test
Luke Cleary
Concussion
TBC
Sam Darcy
Knee
Season
Riley Garcia
Knee
5-7 weeks
Tom Liberatore
Concussion/knee
TBC
Laith Vandermeer
Hamstring
3-5 weeks
Cody Weightman
Knee
Test
Bailey Williams
Hamstring
5-7 weeks
Updated: June 2, 2026
In the mix
The Bulldogs could get a huge boost for Friday night’s massive clash against Hawthorn as Weightman is close to a comeback in what would be his first AFL game since late 2024. Busslinger is a test with a shoulder injury, while Cleary will train on Wednesday following his concussion. Sam Davidson (28 disposals) and Harvey Gallagher (26, seven clearances and a goal) starred in the VFL, while Lachlan Carmichael (24) impressed. Mid-season recruit Caleb May (11 disposals, 38 hitouts and a goal) was among the AFL emergencies last week. – Dejan Kalinic