Injury Hub: Who is set to return for your club in 2026?

Pre-season has been a complete disaster on the injury front, with an abundance of injuries ravaging clubs over a dreaded January.

That said, a range of players sentenced to the sidelines in 2025 have put in the hard yards in rehab, eyeing off a much anticipated return to the field in the early stages of the new campaign.

From ruptured ACLs to ruptured Achilles, these players have worked behind the scenes to return to full strength, ready to make an immediate impact for your club in 2026.

So, who's in the mix for an Opening Round return?

An incredibly fortunate year with injury for the Crows in 2025. Jordon Butts returned from a collapsed lung late in the season and will add defensive depth following a full pre-season. Izak Rankine returns from suspension in Round 2, while Dan Curtin isn’t expected to return until at least Round 7 with a dislocated kneecap. Sid Draper and Ben Keays have also had interrupted runs, but remain in the frame for Round 1.

The back-to-back premiers are set for a glut of returns despite their success in 2025. Newest recruits Oscar Allen (knee) and Sam Draper (Achilles) are expected to be available for Brisbane’s Opening Round clash against the Bulldogs, having missed a majority of last season with their respective clubs. In-house stars Lincoln McCarthy (knee) and Keidean Coleman (quad) are also expected to push selection in Opening Round, carrying out full training having combined for just a single game in 2025. Noah Answerth (Achilles) and Jarrod Berry (Shoulder) have returned to non-contact training and are also expected to be available. Eric Hipwood and Jack Payne will both miss the start of the season with respective knee injuries, however, are expected to return mid-season. Tom Doedee will also provide defensive depth upon his return from wrist surgery late last season.

Nic Newman will return from a ruptured patella during pre-season, set to return for Opening Round. Back-to-back runner up best and fairest awards, Newman provides plenty of drive off the back flank. Key defender turned key forward Brodie Kemp is set to return from a ruptured Achilles in the early stages of the season, poised to step into the vacant front half role left absent by the departing Charlie Curnow. Former No. 3 draft pick Jagga Smith will be available from Opening Round, full of hype and full of drive to deliver on his lofty expectations. Matt Cottrell is also set for return from a navicular stress fracture in the early stages, while Jesse Motlop (knee) will miss the entirety of the season following his pre-season ACL. Harry O’Farrell also ruptured his ACL in August of 2025 and will miss a majority of the upcoming season.

Young duo Charlie West (foot) and Harvey Harrison (ACL) are expected to be available for Collingwood's season opener against St Kilda, providing necessary youth to a list in need of emerging talent. Reef McInnes has put in a strong case over pre-season as he eyes off a return from an ACL injury suffered early in 2025. Nailing down his spot in the back half, McInnes will look to recapture his role as the third defensive tall when he returns in the early stages of the season. Lachie Sullivan endured a scare over pre-season, copping a knock to his injured knee during training in December. That said, the club gave Sullivan the all clear as he continues to train with the rehab group. Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe suffered calf concerns, but remain in the frame for Opening Round.

Essendon's pre-season didn't get off to an ideal start, with star Nic Martin suffering an ACL injury in November. That said, the Bombers are expecting a range of returning players following the carnage that was the 2025 season. Jordan Ridley has undergone a modified program across pre-season after suffering a hamstring setback in November, however the club is yet to determine whether the concern will eat into the start of the Dons' season. All of Nick Bryan, Thomas Edwards and Lewis Hayes have continued their rehab from ACL injuries in 2025, and are likely to miss the opening stages of the season. That said, Bryan is expected within the early weeks of '26. Highly touted rookie Sullivan Robey also faced a setback with his back, however is expected to be available in Round 1. Defender Zach Reid has trained to full capacity after yet another interrupted season, as has Darcy Parish, while Harry Jones (ankle), Will Setterfield (knee) and Archie Perkins (groin) continue to work towards a return to full training.

Hayden Young has returned to full fitness following a range of concerns over 2025. A trip to a world renowned rehabilitation clinic in Doha, Qatar has the star midfielder confident in his body ahead of his return to regular game time, and will have the Dockers seriously ready to contend for a Premiership in '26. Sam Sturt will remain sidelined until at least Round 10, as he continues his recovery from knee reconstruction.

Tanner Bruhn returns from personal matters, offering great midfield depth and potential within the Cats' engine room. Ruckman Toby Conway will also return in the early stages after undergoing foot surgery late in 2025. Seen as the long-term replacement for Rhys Stanley and Mark Blicavs, expect career-most appearances for Conway in 2026 if fit. Jeremy Cameron is fit and firing following his broken arm, as is Tom Stewart following a wrist cleanout. Rookie Harley Barker was drafted following an ACL injury, and is expected to miss a majority of the season.

Star defender Charlie Ballard could prove a major difference maker for the Suns as he returns from a ruptured ACL. Missing the entire 2025 campaign, Ballard - an elite one-on-one defender - will offer plenty behind the ball for the contending Suns.

Not a lot by way of returns for the Giants. Darcy Jones is expected to miss a majority of the 2026 season with an ACL suffered late in '25, while Josh Kelly will also remain on the sidelines for at least a majority of the year following his hip surgery. That said, small forward Brent Daniels continues to ramp up his training regime as he eyes off a return to full fitness early in the season. Jesse Hogan's off-season surgery is also tracking to plan, while Clayton Oliver (calf) and Toby Greene (glute) remain in the mix.

Top tagger Finn Maginness is eyeing off a potential early return off the back of a lacerated kidney suffered in Round 19. Currently completing non-contact training, an Opening Round return is not off the cards. Superstar Will Day will return late in the season following his dislocated shoulder during pre-season, with the club targeting Round 14 for his return.

Andy Moniz-Wakefield will look to shake up the Dees' selection panel as he returns from an ACL injury suffered during a practice match in 2025. A half-back flanker who, prior to his knee injury, looked a chance to play regular footy across the season, Moniz-Wakefield will bring speed and ball use to a new-look Demon outfit. Jake Bowey will miss a majority of 2026 with his foot injury suffered during pre-season, while Jack Viney (Achilles) and Harry Sharp (hamstring) are all a sniff for the early stages. Max Gawn (finger) looks set to feature in Origin, while Jack Henderson (sacrum) is pushing to return in the opening weeks.

Josh Goater remains on track to complete a full pre-season after missing the entire 2025 campaign due to a ruptured Achilles. A top athlete, Goater will provide great run and carry for the Roos once back on track, having featured just 12 times since being drafted in 2021. Untried rookie Brayden George is set to reach full fitness in the early stages of the season, having suffered numerous knee and arm concerns across his three years with the club. Luke McDonald will also return from an AC joint that cut his season short, while Jackson Archer will unfortunately miss the duration of the season with an ACL. Aidan Corr will miss a chunk of training with his calf setback, while Charlie Spargo remains hopeful for a Round 1 debut.

The Power are set for a major inclusion in the back half, with key forward turned key defender Todd Marshall preparing for a Round 1 return. Rupturing his Achilles in pre-season last season, Marshall missed the entirety of 2025, and will enter as a key piece within Port's defensive 50. Not far behind Marshall is Sam Powell-Pepper, who remains close to returning to full training after an ACL injury in July. While he is not expected to return in the opening rounds, the Power's barometer will return mid-season. Jason Horne-Francis is also on the mend having removed a plate from his foot, however isn't expected to miss any football. Youngster Tom Cochrane is looking at a slightly delayed return, while Ollie Wines will miss the first two contests of the season with suspension.

Great news for the Tigers, with young gun Sam Lalor back in full training off the back of his hamstring surgery in July. Likely to feature in Round 1, Lalor will be desperate for an injury-free run as he looks to establish himself as one of the competition's best young talents. Speaking of young talents, Lalor's draftmate Josh Smillie remains in the mix for his long-awaited debut in 2026, however, he will have to wait a little while longer as he continues his rehab from quad surgery in November. A clean run, and Smillie could earn his first taste of AFL football in the early stages of the season, with the club aiming to have him back in full training by the end of January. Mykelti Lefau has returned to full training, while Nick Vlastuin has hardly missed a beat off the back of his ankle surgery, returning to main training in a bid to return ahead of Round 1. Defender Josh Gibcus has had a clean run off the back of his ACL injury in 2024, while Thomas Sims (foot) remains a doubt for Round 1. Judson Clarke will have to wait to return as he continues to rehab his ACL.

The Saints are set for a series of returns, with Dan Butler (elbow) and Mitch Owens (hamstring) both completing full pre-seasons off the back of season ending concerns in 2025. Paddy Dow (collarbone) and Dougal Howard (hamstring) have also had clean runs over the pre-season following their injury-hit seasons. Recruits Tom De Koning (calf) and Jack Silvagni (groin) have both battled individual injuries over the break, however as it stands, neither have been ruled out of an Opening Round debut. Unfortunately for the Saints, Max King continues to deal with his knee setback, yet he isn't expected to miss too much football given he endures a clean run from here.

Logan McDonald headlines the Swans' returnees, stepping into full training in November after missing the entire 2025 season with a persisting ankle injury. New partner-in-crime Charlie Curnow has also endured a full pre-season, with ongoing knee concerns not troubling the superstar following a procedure that ended his final season as a Blue. Callum Mills has been on a modified program as he deals with a hamstring setback, however is expected to return in time for the season opener against Carlton. Taylor Adams (Achilles) remains the only Swan looking likely to miss the season opener.

Premiership Eagle Elliot Yeo has returned to match sim within the past week, moving towards a return to senior football following a range of injuries that hindered his 2025. Continuing on a modified program, Yeo - alongside Bailey Williams (groin) and Tom Cole (finger) - is no certainty to return for West Coast's Round 1 opener against Gold Coast. Jack Hutchinson remains sidelined as he recovers from ankle surgery, while rookie Sam Allen (ACL) continues his rehab. Jake Waterman is in line for Round 1 following his shoulder injury that cut 2025 short, while Liam Baker will have to wait for Round 2 due to suspension.

Unfortunately for the Dogs, Cody Weightman's much anticipated return to football has been far from linear, suffering multiple setbacks by way of infection to troublesome knee. Thankfully, the star small forward hit the track for the first time in 331 days earlier this week, running at 70 per cent body weight as he looks to progress his training over the pre-season. While he remains a fair distance out from an AFL comeback, the Dogs have circled April as the earliest possible return. Ryley Sanders suffered a hamstring setback over pre-season, however remains in the mix as he carries out a modified program. He is expected to return to full fitness following the club's pre-season camp. In excellent news, veteran star Adam Treloar has enjoyed an uninterrupted pre-season thus far, looking in great stead to push for a spot in the Dogs' Opening round clash.