AFL injury report: how your club is shaping up for the 2017 season.
Adelaide
Forwards Josh Jenkins (ankle) and Tom Lynch (knee) had surgery but should be right for the preseason competition. Kyle Cheney and Paul Seedsman have been on light duties.
Brisbane
Ruckman Archie Smith was hospitalised after stepping on a stingray but has returned to training. Dayne Beams is in good shape after last year’s knee troubles.
» Women’s AFL league on The Roar
» All the teams and squad lists for the women’s AFL
» Complete 2017 women’s AFL fixtures
Carlton
Gun midfielder Patrick Cripps is back running after suffering a stress reaction in his lower back. The Blues hope he will play in round one but ruckman Andrew Phillips (foot) is less likely.
Collingwood
New recruit Daniel Wells (calf) remains on light duties. Ben Reid (knee) and Tim Broomhead (shoulder) are on track to resume full training.
Essendon
Forward Joe Daniher (knee) and 2015 best-and-fairest Cale Hooker (hamstring) have both been managed to ensure they can play round one. Tom Bellchambers (knee) faces another seven weeks on the sidelines.
Fremantle
Harley Bennell is back on the track after injuring his “good” calf but is in some doubt for round one. Defender Alex Pearce will certainly miss time after partially fracturing the leg he broke last year.
Geelong
Spearhead Tom Hawkins is good to go after having knee surgery. Cory Gregson will miss the start of the season after having a screw removed from his foot.
Gold Coast
Gary Ablett should resume full contact training in a few weeks as he recovers from his latest shoulder injury. David Swallow (knee) is also back on deck.
Greater Western Sydney
Steve Johnson bizarrely ruptured a tendon in his thumb while reaching for his phone in November. He should play round one.
Hawthorn
All eyes are on gun recruit Jaeger O’Meara, who hasn’t played since 2014. The Hawks have circled thier round four match against Geelong for his likely return.
Melbourne
Dom Tyson (knee) and Dean Kent (back) are in a race against time to play in the preseason competition. Jack Viney and Michael Hibberd are back in full training.
North Melbourne
Forwards Majak Daw and Ben Brown should be right for round one after suffering knee injuries. Ruckman Todd Goldstein has been on light duties.
Port Adelaide
Angus Monfries (shoulder) won’t resume contact training for another month. Charlie Dixon (ankle) has also been restricted and won’t be rushed back.
Richmond
Jack Riewoldt is training well after an ankle reconstruction and two operations on his little finger. Dion Prestia (knee) has been restricted but should play in the preseason competition.
St Kilda
Jake Carlisle is back in full training after having hip surgery during his year out of the AFL, as is midfielder Luke Dunstan (shoulder).
Sydney
Luke Parker (knee) hopes to play round one despite a limited preseason. Key forward Sam Reid (Achilles) appears in good shape after missing all of last year.
West Coast
Scott Lycett (knee) should return early in the season, with ruck partner Nic Naitanui to be sidelined for most of the year.
Western Bulldogs
Mitch Wallis is hoping to return from his horrific broken leg late in the year. Bob Murphy, Easton Wood, Caleb Daniel and Tom Boyd are among those coming back from surgery.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
Are the Blues any chance of making the finals this year. Which games should I go to if I want to see them win? Also it just me, or do the following rules detract from the spectacle of the game and need to be changed, as I suggest below? 1. Chopping of the arms in marking contests should be allowed, as it allows smaller guys to compete and bring the ball to ground. Also, it's allowed in every other contest so why not marking, e.g.. ruck men at the ruck, ruck rovers just standing at a ball up, or anyone else in general play. 2. Like in rugby, you should not be able to be on your knees or lying on the ground to play the ball. You should have to get up and be on your feet before you can pick the ball up. This would discourage players 'diving in' and make it a better spectacle. 3. Has kicking in danger been removed from the rules entirely? If so, then announce it. if not, then pay a free kick when it happens all the time during a match and is currently ignored. 4. The game has become suited to only strong athletes who can run. Smaller guys with better balance cannot compete because the rules/umpires allow wrestling/holding all the time. Pay a fee kick when someone is holding/slinging in a marking contest. 5. Holding the ball/dropping the ball. If the ball is jarred loose in the tackle, then it should be dropping the ball regardless of whether there was any prior opportunity or not. Every ball movement should be via a correct disposal, or else give a free kick or ball up. 6. Push in the back. Don't pay this when a player falls on the ball or the ground. It's not a push when you're already down. Only pay it when a player is on their feet or in the air and has contact in their back. Like in a marking contest.