Many Australian Football League (AFL) clubs have difficulty to open the upcoming season as they are hard hit by injuries to important contributors. There’s hope on the horizon, as half these players are poised to bounce back. Toby Greene and Jesse Hogan are both likely to be back into full training in the next fortnight. Their long-anticipated return sparks optimism among their respective teams as both players work to find their best selves again. Day has only just returned to full training this week. Yet, he is still recuperating from the body blow of a multi-casualty accident that derailed his last go-round.
After a major and complicated injury on the right side, Will Day was set for another tough 2024 season. This injury would eventually force him to undergo collarbone surgery. After being plagued by foot injuries that kept him out for most of the 2025 season, Day is back to full training. This return represents a huge lift for him and his teammates.
Along with Day’s return, there are more players who are still currently battling through injury. Meanwhile, Max Gawn, the captain of Melbourne, is still fighting a fractured finger on his left hand. Though hampered by the injury, he is continuing to train using a splint. His leadership as a captain on and off the field will be key going forward in his sophomore season. Likewise, their embattled captain Jack Viney is battling Achilles soreness, which has robbed him from being the Viney of old.
The injury list does not end there. With McStay recently spraining his hamstring, there are now questions about his place in the team’s lineup. At the same time, Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe are preparing for any repeat on the calf to boot. The litany of injuries has more than turned a few heads and opened a few eyes in the minds of team executives and fans.
As the teams prepare for upcoming matches, the return of Hogan and Greene is anticipated to bolster their squads significantly. Hogan is dealing with a foot injury, and Greene is still coming back from a glute injury. Their presence in main training could provide the much-needed boost for their teams as they aim for better results on the field.
