There's plenty of injury news across the competition ahead Round 15, with clubs both expecting to lose and gain personnel.
St Kilda have confirmed Max King's setback in his recovery from a lengthy knee injury, while one of the club's top draft picks is a strong chance to debut.
The Western Bulldogs have a trio of players in the mix this week, but a young pup has been hit with a setback in the VFL.
Here's all the latest injury news from across the AFL...
Carlton forward downed as winger ruled out for 2025
Harry McKay has a return date on a troubled knee around Round 19, with the latest being a fortnight later.
McKay received an arthroscope on his knee, and will commence his rehab following initial recovery from the procedure.
Matthew Cottrell has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2025 season with a foot injury.
The winger has undergone surgery to correct a navicular stress fracture.
Nic Newman will be given every opportunity to return before the year ends, after progressing very well throughout his rehabilitation, to now put himself in a position to begin training with the main group.
Charlie Curnow is also a chance to play this weekend despite experiencing calf tightness, as will Lachie Cowan. The pair will need to pass fitness tests throughout the week.
Power out for Brownlow medallist
Ollie Wines has been ruled out of the Sydney clash after suffering a medial knee injury.
However, in positive news, Jason Horne-Francis has been cleared of any serious injury, and will be available to play, while Aliir Aliir will be a test to face the Swans.
Lachie Jones could come into selection consideration as he approaches the end of his hamstring injury.
Premiership Cat set for surgery
Geelong's Jake Kolodjashnij "will undergo aโฏminor procedure later this weekโฏto helpโฏmanage ongoing groin symptoms. His current return to play timeline will become clearer once he starts his recovery and begins to increase his training loads," says club EGM of Football Andrew Mackie.
Veteran Cam Guthrie will need a week on the sidelines with a minor calf issue, while youngster Jhye Clark has entered concussion protocols.
Young ruck Mitch Edwards will be a test to play his first game of the season after recovering from injury and completing an extensive conditioning program.
Eagles captain injury extent revealed
West Coast skipper Oscar Allen will be sidelined for the "medium term" after scans confirmed the damage to his left calf.
Allen suffered an innocuous injury in the loss to Carlton over the weekend, and was subsequently sent for scans.
"We're relieved Oscar has not ruptured his Achilles tendon, which aligns with our medical team's initial assessment, and the good news is that surgery won't be required," General Manager Football Gavin Bell said.
"Oscar is understandably disappointed by this setback, but he's a resilient individual and he's already focused on his recovery and on continuing to support and lead the team during this time.
"Our entire Club is behind Oscar, and we'll ensure he receives all the support he needs throughout his rehabilitation."
Hard-luck Swan knocked for six
Sydney midfielder Taylor Adams has been ruled out for at least four weeks after suffering a hamstring injury during the bye.
Adams sustained the injury in match play, and will struggle to return to the senior side by season's end following a string of soft-tissue issues.
Errol Gulden and Tom Papley are a test to play this weekend after long stints on the sidelines, while Robbie Fox will not play this weekend following a concussion in the VFL.
Pies winger, defender push for recall as star ruled out
Collingwood is hopeful Brayden Maynard and Patrick Lipinski will be available for Saturday's clash, but will need to get through the week's training load.
Maynard is progressing well in his recovery from a plantar fascia rupture and has returned to full training, while Lipinski is working through his concussion protocols.
Jordan De Goey has been ruled out for a return this week, but has commenced a running program. He will look to progress into skills-based training in the next fortnight.
Giant blow as AA defender ruled out for a month
GWS' Sam Taylor has been ruled out for a month after it was revealed he played with a broken toe against Brisbane.
Taylor will miss the next four to five weeks, and will be in a moonboot for the next fortnight.
Brent Daniels is also expected to be sidelined after suffering an adductor tendon injury against the Lions.
Meanwhile, both Toby Greene and Jake Stringer could be in line to return this weekend, provided they get through Friday's training.
Ruckman Kieren Briggs is one week away from returning from an ankle injury.
Young Saint wants Pies clash
Mattaes Phillipou wants to take on Collingwood this week after missing last week's clash against the Western Bulldogs.
Phillipou missed last week's game after being subbed out early the week prior with a ruptured plantaris tendon, which results revealed was on the minor end, putting him in consideration for Saturday's game.
Paddy Dow is on the cusp of returning to football this weekend after recovering from a serious knee infection which required multiple surgeries.
"What Paddy has managed to overcome over the past six months is a testament to him and the dedication of our medical and high-performance staff who have assisted in his recovery," EGM Football David Misson said.
"We can't wait to see him get back to what he does best."
Hawks trio a "test" while skipper a "TBC"
James Worpel and Jack Scrimshaw will put their hand up for senior selection after overcoming their respective injuries, while captain James Sicily has no clear timeline.
Sicily "has started some straight line running and is feeling much better," but the club won't have a strong idea of his return date until next week.
Worpel copped a corked quad and missed the Adelaide clash, but is expected to be available after the bye.
As for Scrimshaw, he sustained a hamstring injury in the VFL on the weekend, with scans revealing a "lower end" severity, meaning he should be available in Round 16.
Key forward Mitch Lewis is "expected" to return to football in Round 16 after 11 months on the sidelines with an ACL injury.
Key Dons eye post-bye return
Essendon is hopeful Jordan Ridley will be among a host of key players who will return to football after the mid-season bye.
Zach Reid, Saad El-Hawli, Mason Redman and Kyle Langford are among those pushing their case for Round 17 after soft-tissue injuries earlier in the year.
No comeback for Tigers defender, draftees nearing returns
Richmond premiership backman Jayden Short has been ruled out of making a return this weekend as he continues to battle a calf injury.
Short hasn't played since being a late out ahead of his side's Round 9 clash, facing multiple delays in his bid for a comeback.
Not for the first time in his recovery, Short's return has been pushed back another week despite the club's bye week.
"Jayden Short was down for a test and we started testing him last week. He probably hasn't progressed as well as we would have liked, so we will give him another week before we make him available for selection," Richmond head of high performance Ben Serpell said.
Meanwhile, the Tigers could have draftees Sam Lalor (hamstring, 1-3 weeks), Josh Smillie (conditioning, 2-4 weeks) and Harry Armstrong (hamstrong, 2-5 weeks) back in the next month, while fellow first-year player Taj Hotton (ACL) is listed as a test to play in the VFL this week.
Defender Josh Gibcus is at least two weeks away from his own ACL recovery, while Thomson Dow (patella) and Campbell Gray (knee) remain sideloned for the time being.
Lyon confirms King setback, top 10 pick in mix for debut
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has confirmed star forward Max King has been dealt a setback in his recovery from a knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines for the entire season to date.
The Saints were hoping to have King available in the next month after a lengthy rehab process that has already included multiple delays this year alone.
Speaking on AFL 360 on Monday night, Lyon revealed the club will need to 'investigate' King's ailment further after he felt some issue with his hampered knee.
"He's been progressing really well, we were planning a Round 17-18 return," Lyon said.
"He was in a really good headspace, and then he just had a grab in the knee when decelerating from a run-through, not dissimilar to what he felt before. We thought we'd got to the root cause, but clearly we need to do more investigation.
"He's been able to run in ensuing days, but at what speed? We'll have to condition him.
"It's not about six weeks, it's about six years. We would love him back, but we'll just find a solution.
"He'll go and do some scans under load, because it seems to be a mechanical issue."
Meanwhile, Lyon flagged uncapped top 10 pick Alix Tauru is firmly in the frame for a debut this weekend against Collingwood.
The Gippsland Power product had a starring performance over the weekend in the VFL with Sandringham, with his impact in the air as an intercepting defender placing him in the frame for a maiden appearance under Lyon.
Young Dog sidelined as Trio push for selection
Bulldog Harvey Gallagher will miss the next month of football after suffering a calf injury in the VFL, with scans confirming a moderate-grade injury.
Western Bulldogs trio Jason Johannisen (illness) and Jordan Croft (foot), and James Harmes (concussion) will need to pass fitness tests throughout the week to put their name up for selection consideration.
"James has continued to progress following his concussion-related symptoms," Bulldogs Head of Sports Medicine Chris Bell said.
"He still has some boxes to tick and will work with our doctor across this week to confirm his availability.
"Jordan has integrated back into full training following his foot stress injury.
"He will train fully this week, and if all goes well, will look forward to Jordan pulling back on the jumper this weekend."
