Injury Hub: Pies captain fails fitness test in bid to return

The 2026 AFL season has kicked off and there is a heap of injury news to keep on top of.

Collingwood captain Darcy Moore has reportedly failed a fitness test and won't face Adelaide, according to AFL Media's Josh Gabelich.

Moore missed the season opener against St Kilda and won't be back to face the Crows on Saturday night.

Back-to-back premiers Brisbane were hit by a calf injury to All-Australian Hugh McCluggage in their loss to the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.

The Lions co-captain has a low-grade strain of his left calf which will force him out of this Saturday night's clash with Sydney.

There is a bye for the Lions in Round 2 so McCluggage could be back for the Round 3 meeting with St Kilda.

The Lions will also be without joint skipper Harris Andrews (three matches), Zac Bailey (one match) and Darcy Gardiner (one match) who have all been suspended for various incidents against the Dogs.

Emerging forward Logan Morris will miss with a hand injury stained in the win over the Dogs.

See the club-by-club injury list below:

Izak Rankine won't play in Round 1 against Collingwood due to suspension but will return in Round 2 against the Western Bulldogs. Off-season recruit Callum Ah Chee will push his case for the weekend after experiencing hamstring awareness in the Origin match. Jake Soligo's irregular heartbeat seems to be under control, while Mitch Hinge remains a chance despite a back complaint. Riley Thilthorpe should be right to face Collingwood.

Injury list
Dan Curtin (knee)
Mitch Hinge (back)
Mark Keane (leg)
Izak Rankine (suspension)
Riley Thilthorpe (back)

Last updated: 12/03

The main injury for the Lions now is gun midfielder Hugh McCluggage but he may only miss one match with his calf strain. Harris Andrews, Zac Bailey and Darcy Gardiner have all been suspended - we wait to see if the Lions will challenge. Prized recruit Sam Draper could face the Swans after a foot stress injury while Tom Doedee has at least a week to go before he is considered after a wrist injury. Emerging forward Logan Morris is expected to miss a week with a small fracture in his hand.

Injury list
Harris Andrews (suspension)
Zac Bailey (suspension)
Cody Curtin (chest)
Tom Doedee (wrist)
Koby Evans (ankle)
Darcy Gardiner (suspension)
Eric Hipwood (knee - mid-season)
Luke Lloyd (ankle)
Hugh McCluggage (calf)
Conor McKenna (hamstring)
Logan Morris (hand)
Ben Murphy (chest)
Jack Payne (knee)
Henry Smith (foot)

Last updated: 12/03

Adam Saad will miss Round 1 against Richmond with a low-end hamstring strain suffered in the Opening Round loss to Sydney. Midfielder Adam Cerra won't be ready for at least three weeks with a hammy sustained in a pre-season practice match. Nic Newman remains suspended and can't play until Round 2. Defender Nick Haynes will likely play reserves after recovering from an ankle injury.

Injury list
Adam Cerra (hamstring)
Matt Cottrell (knee)
Francis Evans (knee)
Nick Haynes (ankle)
Jesse Motlop (knee - season)
Nic Newman (suspension)
Harry O'Farrell (knee)
Adam Saad (hamstring)
Billy Wilson (foot)

Last updated: 12/03

It's looking pretty good for the Magpies who opened the season with a win over St Kilda despite being without captain Darcy Moore and fellow injured defender Jeremy Howe. No fresh concerns out of the Saints game. Moore was a chance for Round 1 against Adelaide, but failed a fitness test to get up for the game on Thursday. Bobby Hill remains unavailable for personal reasons.

Injury list
Bobby Hill (personal)
Jeremy Howe (calf)
Reef McInnes (knee)
Darcy Moore (calf)

Last updated: 12/03

Isaac Kako is some chance to play against Hawthorn on Friday night. He has been building his training loads after a minor hamstring strain. Gun defender Jordan Ridley remains sidelined for at least another four weeks with a calf issue. Top draftee Sullivan Robey has returned to training but won't debut this week.

Injury list
Cillian Bourke (hamstring)
Nick Bryan (knee)
Angus Clarke (syndesmosis)
Tom Edwards (knee)
Lewis Hayes (knee)
Isaac Kako (hamstring)
Nic Martin (knee - season)
Jordan Ridley (calf)
Will Setterfield (foot)
Rhys Unwin (calf)

Last updated: 12/03

Captain Alex Pearce is in the mix to take on Geelong this Saturday, but fellow defender Brennan Cox will miss. Sam Switkowski will likely play after recovering from concussion. Hayden Young missed Tuesday's training session with a lower leg complaint. Michael Frederick's injured ankle will sideline him for up to six weeks.

Injury list
Brennan Cox (calf)
Michael Frederick (ankle)
Charlie Nicholls (foot)
Alex Pearce (calf)
Aiden Riddle (ankle)
Sam Sturt (knee)
Hayden Young (lower leg)

Last updated: 12/03

Jeremy Cameron and Patrick Dangerfield both missed the season-opening loss to Gold Coast. They are both likely to play Fremantle on Saturday. Midfield recruit James Worpel will likely miss with an infected finger after debuting for the Cats last week.

Injury list
Harley Barker (knee)
Jeremy Cameron (quad)
Toby Conway (foot/knee)
Patrick Dangerfield (calf)
Keighton Matofai-Forbes (foot)
Jacob Molier (foot)
Tyson Stengle (conditioning)
James Worpel (infected finger)

Last updated: 12/03

Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell will miss at least the next two matches with the finger he injured playing Origin. His return date is not yet known. The Suns got through the win over the Cats unscathed. Jed Walter is available after serving his suspension.

Injury list
Beau Addinsall (hamstring)
Elliott Himmelberg (knee)
Max Knobel (ankle)
Jai Murray (leg)
Matt Rowell (finger)

Last updated: 12/03

Aaron Cadman will miss the first few matches with a pelvic injury as the latest Giant to be ruled out. Despite a growing injury list the Giants did enough to open their season with a victory over Hawthorn. No fresh concerns out of that game. Sam Taylor is still 6-8 weeks away with his hamstring and Toby Bedford has a few weeks to go.

Injury list
Cody Angove (hamstring)
Toby Bedford (hamstring)
Aaron Cadman (pelvis)
Brent Daniels (hamstring)
Tom Green (knee - season)
Darcy Jones (knee)
Josh Kelly (hip)
Toby McMullin (hamstring)
Sam Taylor (hamstring)
Nathan Wardius (knee)

Last updated: 12/03

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. It seems like the Hawks avoided any new issues in the wake of their Opening Round loss to GWS. Cam Mackenzie will be available after concussion protocols. Henry Hustwasite's syndesmosis injury is low-grade and he'll miss a few weeks.

Injury list
James Blanck (groin)
Will Day (shoulder)
Henry Hustwaite (ankle)
Matt LeRay (ankle)
Cam Mackenzie (concussion)
Cam Nairn (back)

Last updated: 09/03

Bayley Fritsch will play after a dog bit on his hand, while recruit Brody Mihocek should be fine to debut for the Dees after he was concussed recently. Kozzy Pickett may yet play against the Saints despite a personal issue which saw him fly to Darwin during the week.

Injury list
Jake Bowey (foot)
Tom Campbell (neck)
Matt Jefferson (foot)
Luker Kentfield (knee)
Shane McAdam (achilles)
Jack Viney (achilles)
Kalani White (Glandular fever)

Last updated: 12/03

Young gun Colby McKercher and veteran Luke McDonald are well and truly in the mix to open the season against Port Adelaide on Sunday. Aidan Corr and Riley Hardeman are still a week or two away. Corr could play reserves. George Wardlaw is likely to be available next week.

Injury list
Jackson Archer (knee - season)
Taylor Goad (ankle)
Riley Hardeman (ankle)
Charlie Spargo (concussion)
Blake Thredgold (foot)
George Wardlaw (hamstring)

Last updated: 12/03

The Power are in decent nick injury-wise ahead of Round 1 against North Melbourne on Sunday. Jack Lukosius remains hopeful of playing in that game.

Injury list
Tom Cochrane (hamstring)
Mani Liddy (groin)
Sam Powell-Pepper (knee)
Josh Sinn (shoulder)
Ivan Soldo (knee - season)
Ollie Wines (suspension)

Last updated: 09/03

Yet-to-debut top draft pick Josh Smillie faces more time on the sidelines after hurting his quad at a rehab session. Fellow Pick 7 Sam Cumming aggravated a shoulder injury and will be out for three more weeks. Veteran defender Nick Vlastuin won't play against Carlton on Thursday night.

Injury list
Judson Clarke (knee)
Sam Cumming (shoulder)
Taj Hotton (hip)
Mykelti Lefau (suspension)
Dion Prestia (hamstring)
Samson Ryan (foot)
Tom Sims (elbow/foot)
Josh Smillie (quad)
Nick Vlastuin (conditioning)

Last updated: 12/03

Max King's return keeps getting pushed back. He continues to deal with his knee setback, as well as a new calf strain. Rowan Marshall copped some friendly fire (Cooper Sharman's knee) and was subbed out of the loss to Collingwood with concussion. Hunter Clark and Paddy Dow will be out for multiple weeks with their respective adductor and knee issues.

Injury list
Ryan Byrnes (foot)
Hunter Clark (adductor)
Paddy Dow (knee)
Liam Henry (hamstring)
Max King (calf/knee)
Rowan Marshall (concussion)
Liam O'Connell (facial fractures)

Last updated: 12/03

A few on the injury list but no genuine first-teamers apart from Braeden Campbell. Nothing new out of the Carlton win. Isaac Heeney was cleared of concussion after copping an accidental knee from former teammate Ollie Florent.

Injury list
Riak Andrew (quad)
Ned Bowman (hamstring)
Braeden Campbell (shin)
Billy Cootee (thigh)
Harry Cunningham (quad)
Jesse Dattoli (foot)
Tom Hanily (shin)
Max King (back)
Jevan Phillipou (quad)

Last updated: 12/03

A lengthy Eagles list but the likes of Reuben Ginbey (toe), co-captain Liam Duggan and recruit Brandon Starcevich are pushing for Round 1 against Gold Coast on Sunday. New joint skipper Liam Baker is suspended for the season opener.

Injury list
Sam Allen (knee)
Liam Baker (suspension)
Tyler Brockman (knee)
Harry Edwards (concussion)
Jack Graham (hamstring)
Tom Gross (hamstring)
Jack Hutchinson (ankle)
Noah Long (knee - season)
Fred Rodriguez (foot)
Harry Schoenberg (suspension)
Brandon Starcevich (calf)
Bailey Williams (groin)
Jack Williams (calf)

Last updated: 12/03

Small forward Arty Jones will miss Saturday against the Giants with concussion after copping a stray arm from Harris Andrews in the win over Brisbane. The injury list is shortening after Sam Darcy and Bailey Dale played against the Lions.

Injury list
Riley Garcia (hamstring)
Ryan Gardner (groin)
Arty Jones (concussion)
Adam Treloar (calf)
Ryley Sanders (concussion)
Laitham Vandermeer (concussion)
Zac Walker (ankle)
Cody Weightman (knee)

Last updated: 12/03