{"id":515966,"date":"2026-03-03T12:30:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T12:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/515966\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T12:30:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T12:30:18","slug":"full-list-of-injured-players-ahead-of-opening-round-bayley-fritsch-attacked-by-dogs-bailey-dale-knee-jacob-weitering-ribs-hawthorn-midfield-woes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/515966\/","title":{"rendered":"Full list of injured players ahead of Opening Round; Bayley Fritsch attacked by dogs; Bailey Dale knee; Jacob Weitering ribs; Hawthorn midfield woes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch has undergone hand surgery after attempting to break up a fight between his two dogs.<\/p>\n

He attempted to break up a fight between the dogs, who could not be separated, and was bitten in the process.<\/p>\n

It remains unclear just how long he will be sidelined for, however he is in doubt for round one.<\/p>\n

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\"Bayley<\/p>\n

Bayley Fritsch and one of his dogs.\u00a0Instagram<\/p>\n

The bite wound on his hand got infected, leading to the need for a procedure.<\/p>\n

Fritsch has played 171 career games for the Demons, and is a five-time club leading goal kicker. <\/p>\n

Here’s every club’s injury list heading into the season:<\/p>\n

Izak Rankine (hamstring) – In doubt for round one<\/p>\n

Callum Ah Chee (hamstring) – Suffered during Origin, doubtful for round one<\/p>\n

Dan Curtin (knee) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Mark Keane (broken leg) – Out long term<\/p>\n

Jake Soligo (heart) – Underwent a procedure, in doubt for round one<\/p>\n

After what was a dream run with injuries in 2025, Adelaide enters 2026 in a more difficult spot.<\/p>\n

Izak Rankine and Callum Ah Chee are both in doubt for round one with hamstring injuries, while Dan Curtin, Mark Keane and Jake Soligo are all unavailable and will miss time.<\/p>\n

Keane’s long-term injury is of most concern, after he broke his leg at a training session.<\/p>\n

\"Hugh<\/p>\n

Hugh McCluggage of Victoria in action during the 2026 AFL Origin match.\u00a0AFL Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Sam Draper (foot) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Eric Hipwood (knee) – Out long term with torn ACL<\/p>\n

Ryan Lester (concussion) – Must clear protocols<\/p>\n

Hugh McCluggage (calf) – Good to go for Opening Round<\/p>\n

Jack Payne (knee) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Noah Answerth (Achilles) – Working his way back from ruptured Achilles in 2025<\/p>\n

Only Eric Hipwood and Noah Answerth remain from Brisbane’s long-term injuries that piled up in 2025. Sam Draper tore his Achilles as a Bomber last year and looked ready to go for the season, before suffering a stress fracture in his foot.<\/p>\n

Hugh McCluggage has been cleared after being subbed out during the AAMI Community Series and he will play in Opening Round. <\/p>\n

\"Jacob<\/p>\n

Jacob Weitering of Victoria is seen injured.\u00a0AFL Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Jesse Motlop (knee) – Out for the season<\/p>\n

Harry O’Farrell (knee) – Tore his ACL late in 2025<\/p>\n

Jacob Weitering (ribs) – Likely to play Opening Round<\/p>\n

Blake Acres (shoulder) – Will return early in the season<\/p>\n

Adam Cerra (hamstring) – Out indefinitely<\/p>\n

Matt Cottrell (knee) – Slated to return post round two bye<\/p>\n

Nick Haynes (ankle) – Slated to return post round two bye<\/p>\n

Lachie Cowan (calf) – In doubt for the start of the season<\/p>\n

Carlton’s injury list is lengthy as it generally has been for the last few years, but only Jesse Motlop, Harry O’Farrell and Adam Cerra appear to be long-term concerns at this stage.<\/p>\n

Cerra’s history of hamstring injuries means the club will take an incredibly cautious approach, while Motlop tore his ACL at training. O’Farrell ruptured his ACL late in the 2025 season.<\/p>\n

Jacob Weitering is expected to return from the ugly rib injury suffered in State of Origin either in Opening Round or the following week.<\/p>\n

Darcy Moore (calf) – Ruled out for Opening Round<\/p>\n

Jeremy Howe (calf) – Likely to miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Bobby Hill (personal) – Out indefinitely<\/p>\n

Reef McInnes (knee) – Out for the first month of the season<\/p>\n

Pretty clean bill of health at the Pies, with the likes of Harvey Harrison, Charlie West and Lachie Sullivan all likely to be available for Opening Round.<\/p>\n

Howe the only one facing a delayed start that we know of at this stage. Hill is seemingly not in the club’s planning for 2026 at this stage.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Nic Martin and Will Setterfield of the Bombers.\u00a0via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Nick Bryan (knee) – Tore his ACL in 2025, expected back early in the season<\/p>\n

Thomas Edwards (knee) – Tore his ACL in 2025, expected back mid-season<\/p>\n

Lewis Hayes (knee) – Tore his ACL in 2025, expected back mid-season<\/p>\n

Nic Martin (knee) – Tore his ACL in the pre-season, out for the year<\/p>\n

Sullivan Robey (back) – In doubt for round one<\/p>\n

Will Setterfield (knee) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Jordan Ridley (calf) – Expected to be available early in the season<\/p>\n

Isaac Kako (hamstring) – Expected to miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Essendon’s injury list blew out of control in 2025 and the aftermath of it is still being felt now, with Nick Bryan, Thomas Edwards, Lewis Hayes and Harrison Jones all unavailable for the start of the season. Jones played a half in the VFL as he works his way back from an ankle fracture.<\/p>\n

Star defender Nic Martin will miss the season with a torn ACL suffered in the pre-season, while Jordan Ridley continues have setback after setback of his own.<\/p>\n

Isaac Kako and Will Setterfield will miss the start of the season with their respective injuries. <\/p>\n

Sam Sturt (knee) – Will miss the first half of the season<\/p>\n

Brennan Cox (calf) – In doubt for round one<\/p>\n

Luke Ryan (shoulder) – Likely for round one<\/p>\n

Sean Darcy (calf) – Likely for round one<\/p>\n

Reasonably fit list at the Dockers. Sean Darcy, Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan are all best 22 players who have had pre-season setbacks, but are all pushing to be available for round one.<\/p>\n

Sam Sturt remains sidelined long term. <\/p>\n

\"Bailey<\/p>\n

Bailey Smith of Victoria celebrates.\u00a0AFL Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Jeremy Cameron (quad, arm) – Likely for Opening Round<\/p>\n

Gryan Miers (thumb) – In some doubt for Opening Round<\/p>\n

Shannon Neale (shin) – Likely for Opening Round<\/p>\n

Bailey Smith (calf) – Likely for Opening Round<\/p>\n

Tyson Stengle (personal) – Early in the season<\/p>\n

Toby Conway (foot, knee) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Harley Barker (knee) – Joined the club in the draft with a torn ACL<\/p>\n

Geelong will be hoping reigning Coleman Medallist Jeremy Cameron can overcome a pre-season quad issue, coupled with the arm he broke in the grand final, to play Opening Round. <\/p>\n

Bailey Smith was rested through the pre-season after Origin, while Shannon Neale has bounced back well from the shin injury he suffered in the ruck against Carlton.<\/p>\n

Matt Rowell (finger) – In doubt for the start of the season<\/p>\n

Beau Addinsall (hamstring) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Jai Murray (leg) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Elliott Himmelberg (knee) – Out until mid-season<\/p>\n

Jake Rogers (hamstring) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Charlie Ballard (knee) – Close to return after a 2025 torn ACL<\/p>\n

Matt Rowell broke his finger during State of Origin, and is in doubt for Opening Round and potentially beyond.<\/p>\n

Charlie Ballard will be a handy inclusion down back once he is cleared to return from his torn ACL.<\/p>\n

\"Tom<\/p>\n

Tom Green injured at training.\u00a0News Corp<\/p>\n

Tom Green (knee) – Torn ACL, will miss the entire 2026 season<\/p>\n

Darcy Jones (knee) – Tore his ACL late in 2025, expected to miss most of the season<\/p>\n

Josh Kelly (hip) – Expected to miss most of the season following serious hip surgery<\/p>\n

Sam Taylor (hamstring) – Will miss at least the first month of the season<\/p>\n

Brent Daniels (hamstring) – Will miss at least the first month of the season<\/p>\n

Toby Bedford (hamstring – Will miss at least the first month of the season<\/p>\n

Leek Aleer (groin) – Unavailable for the start of the season<\/p>\n

Finn Callaghan (hip) – Expected to be available for Opening Round<\/p>\n

Yikes. The Giants enter the 2026 season battered and bruised. Losing Tom Green for the season and Sam Taylor to another soft tissue injury in the same weekend was brutal.<\/p>\n

Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford hamstrings added to the unfortunate pile, while Josh Kelly was always expected to miss most of the season.<\/p>\n

In better news, Finn Callaghan is expected to be available for Opening Round. <\/p>\n

Will Day (shoulder) – Will miss the first half of the season<\/p>\n

Cam Mackenzie (concussion) – Ruled out of Opening Round<\/p>\n

Tom Barrass (back) – Likely for Opening Round<\/p>\n

Losing Will Day to another long-term injury was brutal for the Hawks and their already understrength midfield.<\/p>\n

Cam Mackenzie adds to that depth problem after he was concussed in the AAMI Community Series. Not to mention captain Jai Newcombe now faces a one-game suspension.<\/p>\n

\"Bayley<\/p>\n

Bayley Fritsch of the Demons.\u00a0AFL Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Jake Bowey (foot) – Expected to miss the first chunk of the season<\/p>\n

Jai Culley (arm) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Jack Viney (Achilles) – Expected to miss the first half of the season<\/p>\n

Kalani White (glandular fever) – Out indefinitely<\/p>\n

Luker Kentfield (knee) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Harry Sharp (hamstring) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Jack Henderson (pelvis) – Out indefinitely <\/p>\n

Bayley Fritsch (hand) – In doubt for the start of the season<\/p>\n

Bayley Fritsch will likely miss the start of the season. He needed hand surgery after breaking up his dogs from fighting.<\/p>\n

Jake Bowey and Jack Viney are long-term outs in Melbourne’s best side, while Harry Sharp is pushing for early availability. <\/p>\n

Jackson Archer (knee) – Torn ACL, out for the season<\/p>\n

Aidan Corr (calf) – Expected to return early in the season<\/p>\n

George Wardlaw (hamstring) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Taylor Goad (ankle) – Out indefinitely<\/p>\n

Riley Hardeman (ankle) – In doubt for round one<\/p>\n

Josh Goater (hamstring, Achilles) – Not expected early in the season<\/p>\n

Colby McKercher (finger) – Likely for round one<\/p>\n

Jackson Archer was the big blow for North Melbourne, with the young defender ruled out for the season. <\/p>\n

And now George Wardlaw’s ongoing hamstring issues have flared up once again, leading to a delayed start.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Jackson Archer of North Melbourne. \u00a0Getty<\/p>\n

Sam Powell-Pepper (knee) – Tore his ACL in 2025, expected to return later in the season<\/p>\n

Ivan Soldo (knee) – Torn ACL, will miss the 2026 season<\/p>\n

Tom Cochrane (hamstring) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Ivan Soldo tore his ACL at training and will miss the season, but otherwise Port Adelaide enters the season pretty close to full strength. <\/p>\n

Sam Cumming (shoulder) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Josh Smilie (quad) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Judson Clarke (knee) – Will miss the first half of the season<\/p>\n

Dion Prestia (hamstring) – Unlikely for round one<\/p>\n

Nick Vlastuin (ankle) – Unlikely for round one<\/p>\n

Taj Hotton (hip) – Will miss the first half of the season<\/p>\n

Thomas Sims (foot) – Unlikely for round one<\/p>\n

Richmond will be hoping veterans Dion Prestia and Nick Vlastuin are ready to go to face Carlton, but both are in doubt.<\/p>\n

Injury setbacks to star youngsters Sam Cumming and Taj Hotton have flattened the buzz of the pre-season somewhat.<\/p>\n

\"St<\/p>\n

St Kilda star recruit Jack Silvagni concussed. \u00a0Instagram<\/p>\n

Max King (calf) – Will miss the first month of the season<\/p>\n

Liam Henry (hamstring) – Unlikely for Opening Round<\/p>\n

Ryan Byrnes (ankle) – Injured in pre-season game<\/p>\n

Jack Silvagni (concussion) – Must clear protocols to play Opening Round<\/p>\n

Max King just continues to miss footy with various injuries. This time it’s a calf that will see him sidelined into the season, after missing all of 2025 with a knee injury. <\/p>\n

Jack Silvagni was concussed in a practice match, but the star recruit would have sat the mandatory 12 days in time for the Collingwood clash. <\/p>\n

Taylor Adams (Achilles) – In doubt for round one<\/p>\n

Max King (back) – Will miss most of the season<\/p>\n

Errol Gulden (ankle) – Ready to go for round one<\/p>\n

Sydney scared fans when they took Errol Gulden out of their pre-season game during the week, but made it very clear he simply rolled his ankle and he is good to go for Opening Round. <\/p>\n

\"Errol<\/p>\n

Errol Gulden of Sydney.\u00a0Getty<\/p>\n

Noah Long (knee) – Ruled out for the 2026 season<\/p>\n

Liam Duggan (concussion) – In doubt for round one<\/p>\n

Brandon Starcevich (calf) – In doubt for round one<\/p>\n

Reuben Ginbey (toe) – In doubt for round one<\/p>\n

Bailey Williams (groin) – In doubt for round one<\/p>\n

Tom Cole (finger) – in doubt for round one<\/p>\n

Tom Gross (hamstring) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Jack Graham (hamstring) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Tyler Brockman (hip) – Will miss the first six weeks of the season<\/p>\n

No shortage of injuries for the Eagles, but the good news is most of them are short term, meaning they could have a near full-strength side by the first month of the season.<\/p>\n

Losing Noah Long for the season to a knee injury was the big blow of the off-season. <\/p>\n

\"Adam<\/p>\n

Adam Treloar training in 2026.\u00a0AFL Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Adam Treloar (calf) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Bailey Dale (knee) – In doubt for Opening Round<\/p>\n

Ryley Sanders (concussion) – Ruled out of Opening Round<\/p>\n

Cody Weightman (knee) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Riley Garcia (hamstring) – Will miss the start of the season<\/p>\n

Laitham Vandermeer (Achilles) – Will miss Opening Round<\/p>\n

Setbacks for Adam Treloar and Cody Weightman are frustrating after both have spent so long on the sidelines across the last year.<\/p>\n

Bailey Dale hurt his knee in the AAMI Community Series meanwhile and is unlikely to feature in Opening Round.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch has undergone hand surgery after attempting to break up a fight between his two…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":515967,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,55,639,85],"class_list":["post-515966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afl","tag-afl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australian-football-league","tag-australianfootballleague","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/515966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=515966"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/515966\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/515967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=515966"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=515966"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=515966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}