Check out how the AFLW finalists are tracking ahead of the first week of finals
Claudia Whitfort during the AFLW R10 match between Carlton and the Western Bulldogs at Ikon Park on October 17, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos
CARLTON will be without integral midfielder Claudia Whitfort for its qualifying final against reigning premier North Melbourne.
The former Sun has a history of soft tissue injuries, and scans revealed a minor hamstring injury suffered in the opening term of last week’s win over Brisbane. There’s no guarantee Whitfort will be available for Carlton’s second final, either, having been ruled out for 1-2 weeks.
The Blues had “managed” key back Maddy Hendrie last week, but have since revealed she has a finger injury, and will be a test this week.
Ruck Jess Good is also managing an ongoing foot issue, but is also expected to pass a test to face the Roos.
The news is decidedly better at the Western Bulldogs, with co-captain Isabelle Pritchard closing in on a return for Sunday’s elimination final.
The star midfielder suffered a minor knee injury in round 11 and sat out last weekend. At Tuesday’s long training session, she rotated in and out of the main training group, moving freely and without strapping on her knee.
Isabelle Pritchard during the AFLW R11 match between the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne at Mission Whitten Oval on October 24, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos
Pritchard will be a test for Sunday’s sudden-death match against Sydney, with Elaine Grigg (rolled ankle) also expected to be fine, despite being on light loads on Tuesday. Jess Fitzgerald has raced through her hamstring rehab, but is still at least a week away.
Sydney is a chance to be boosted by the surprise return of Sofia Hurley, who has spent the past seven weeks sidelined with a serious ankle injury. The classy mover was listed as 3-6 weeks away last week, but is a test for the Swans’ elimination final.
Ruck Caitlin Reid will undergo surgery on a fractured jaw, and while there’s no timeline on her return, is unlikely to be sighted again this year.
Melbourne could have up to five inclusions for its qualifying final, including Eliza McNamara (jaw), Liv Purcell (managed), Paxy Paxman (ankle soreness), Shelley Heath-Barker (concussion) and Georgia Campbell (illness).
Skipper Kate Hore suffered a “stinger” to her shoulder in the final minutes of the win over Adelaide, but was not named on the Dees’ injury list.
Gold Coast is likely to make a host of changes, with Ava Usher (suspension), Daisy D’Arcy (concussion), Dekota Baron (head knock) and Clara Fitzpatrick (foot) set to be available, but Rhianna Ingram and Meara Girvan will miss with their own concussions.
North Melbourne premiership defender Eliza Shannon will return to the selection mix this weekend, provided her remaining days in concussion protocols go to plan, while former skipper Emma Kearney (hamstring) is a chance for the Roos’ second final.
Fellow defender Tessa Boyd (managed, knee) is now available.
Hawthorn is a chance to regain versatile tall Mack Eardley, who has missed the past two weeks with an ankle injury, while Grace Baba has finally returned to full training after spending three months on the sidelines with her own ankle issue.
Check out each of the finalists’ full injury lists below.
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Brooke Boileau
Foot
1-2 weeks
Jess Good
Foot
Test
Maddy Guerin
Knee
Inactive
Breann Harrington
Pregnancy
Inactive
Maddy Hendrie
Finger
Test
Claudia Whitfort
Hamstring
1-2 weeks
Updated: November 3, 2026
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Priva Bowering
Foot
1-3 weeks
Zali Friswell
Femur
2-4 weeks
Emma Kilpatrick
ACL
Season
Georgie Rankin
Neck
Inactive
Updated: November 3, 2026
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Dekota Baron
Concussion
Test
Georgia Clayden
Pregnancy
Inactive
Daisy D’Arcy
Concussion
Test
Clara Fitzpatrick
Foot
Test
Meara Girvan
Concussion
TBC
Rhianna Ingram
Concussion
TBC
Annabel Kievit
Knee
Season
Updated: November 3, 2026
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Grace Baba
Ankle
Test
Emily Bates
Knee
Season
Mackenzie Eardley
Ankle
Test
Emily Everist
Knee
Season
Matilda Van Berkel
Foot
Season
Updated: November 3, 2026
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Mia Austin
Throat
2-3 weeks
Chloe Baker-West
Leg
Inactive
Grace Beasley
Knee
Inactive
Georgia Campbell
Illness
Test
Lauren Clifton
Foot
2-3 weeks
Sinead Goldrick
Hamstring
2-3 weeks
Shelley Heath-Barker
Concussion
Test
Eliza McNamara
Jaw
Test
Paxy Paxman
Ankle
Test
Updated: November 3, 2026
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Emma Kearney
Hamstring
1-2 weeks
Mia King
Neck
Season
Eliza Shannon
Concussion
Test
Amy Smith
Knee
Inactive
Sarah Wall
Knee
Season
Updated: November 3, 2026
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Sofia Hurley
Ankle
Test
Alice Mitchell
ACL
Inactive
Ally Morphett
Knee
Season
Alex Neyland
ACL
Inactive
Caitlin Reid
Jaw
TBC
Brenna Tarrant
ACL
Season
Updated: November 3, 2026
PLAYER
INJURY
ESTIMATED RETURN
Jess Fitzgerald
Hamstring
1-2 weeks
Charlie O’Connor Moreira
Knee
4-6 weeks
Isabelle Pritchard
Knee
Test
Updated: November 3, 2026