Essendon provide latest on midfield pair, Carlton confirm for surgery blow: AFL injury news

As Round 8 approaches, AFL clubs will be assessing the damage from last weekend, as well as tracking the recovery of those set to return.

One of which is a star Bulldog, whose calf woes look to be nearly cleared.

Two Bombers are also likely to be available for Round 8, while the latest has been provided on two sidelined midfielders, and a Carlton swingman is reportedly set to undergo surgery.

Here's the latest on the injury front across the AFL landscape...

Essendon pair to be welcomed back, midfielders nearing returns

The return timeframe for Essendon midfielder Darcy Parish has been revealed by the club, with the All-Australian up to three weeks away with his calf issue.

Parish is yet to play this year due to back and calf concerns, with the latter having him listed as 'TBC' on the Bombers' injury list in recent weeks.

The Dons onballer is now just weeks away from a comeback, while Jye Caldwell could be back by Round 9 as he overcomes a hamstring injury.

Earlier this week, Bombers coach Brad Scott revealed that Essendon could be set for multiple inclusions this Thursday, stating that Harrison Jones and Dylan Shiel will be available for selection on Monday.

Jones was subbed out in the Anzac Day clash with an ankle concern, while Shiel suffered tightness and cramping late in the piece.

"Both are fine," Scott said.

"It would be hard to gauge if you watched training today, we have a lot of guys on individual programs, but both are available for selection."

The Bombers will also have Nik Cox, Matt Guelfi and Angus Clarke returning via the VFL this week.

Carlton undergoes surgery, forward sidelined

Blues star Jack Silvagni has gone under the knife after suffering a broken hand against Geelong.

The Carlton wingman will miss up to two matches with the ailment.

"Scans have confirmed Silvagni experienced a broken hand in the first quarter of Sunday's win over Geelong," a club update read.

"He has undergone surgery this afternoon, with his availability for Round 9 to be determined next week."

Forward Zac Williams is facing 2-3 weeks out of action after suffering a calf strain in the win over Geelong.

Utility Alex Cincotta is nearing his first game of 2025 after dealing with a hip injury since the pre-season, with the mature-aged addition available as early as next week.

Collingwood captain given green light, forward a test

Magpies defender Darcy Moore hasn't experienced vertigo symptoms in three days, with Collingwood clearing their captain to face Geelong on Saturday.

Moore missed Anzac Day after hurting his ear and battling with vertigo symptoms after a high knock against Brisbane in Round 6.

Meanwhile, Lachie Schultz is no certainty to return from his hamstring injury, needing to prove his fitness on the track this week.

Tough break for big Lion as defender prepares for return

Brisbane ruckman Henry Smith will miss up to 10 weeks of action after scans discovered a fracture in his foot.

Smith was already sidelined through concussion protocols, with the Lions using the time to assess a concern in Smith's right foot.

The club confirmed on Tuesday that the ruckman will spend at least two months on the sidelines due to the matter.

Meanwhile, defender Keidean Coleman will likely make his return from an ACL injury in the VFL this week.

Coleman has been missed since the start of the 2024 season due to the knee injury.

Forward Kai Lohmann is listed as a test after suffering a blow to his shoulder last week, while Jack Payne has been cleared to return after dealing with illness.

Blow for Power youngster

Port Adelaide have revealed first-year talent Tom Cochrane is facing an extended period on the sidelines with a foot injury.

After scans revealed stress fractures in his navicular, Cochrane underwent surgery and is now listed as 'TBC' to return.

Veteran Travis Boak, who is dealing with a back issue, also faces an unclear return timeframe.

Power defender Josh Sinn has entered concussion protocols, while rookie Josh Lai is out for 3-4 weeks with a hand injury.

Luckless Roo set for long-awaited return

Third-year Kangaroos midfield-forward Brayden George is set to return via the VFL this week after recovering from an ACL injury.

George suffered the long-term setback in his eighth game of VFL football last year, having only managed to return from another ACL injury and elbow surgery the same season.

The powerful attacker will be on managed minutes against Essendon on Friday night.

Brayden has been flawless in his rehab and has banked great loads of training on-field," Roos performance lead Kevin White said in a club update.

"Through the reconditioning period, Brayden has made significant improvements in his strength, plyometrics, landing and cutting mechanics which provides him with confidence and a great platform to build from."

Meanwhile, the Roos will have Zac Fisher (hamstring) and Matt Whitlock (ankle) available for selection this week.

Crows defender to be sidelined for multiple weeks following operation

Adelaide defender Nick Murray will miss the next 4-6 weeks after an arthroscopic operation dated for tomorrow.

Murray jarred his knee in March at training and missed three matches, before returning for the latest two clashes, however has felt discomfort in his knee, with the arthroscopic procedure set to alleviate that pain.

“Nick has experienced some discomfort and hasn't been able to perform at the level he would hope, so we sent him for a scan and he will have an arthroscope tomorrow to tidy up a few loose ends around his knee,” High Performance Manager Darren Burgess said.

“The scans were largely inconclusive, but we will know more about the exact nature of the injury when we do operate, it's unfortunate but we're anticipating he will be out for a range of between 4-6 weeks.”

Forward Darcy Fogarty is line to return from a sternoclavicular strain that sidelined the key tall in Round 7, as is Riley Thilthorpe who dislocated his finger against Fremantle.

Fogarty will have to pass main training on Thursday unscathed to be available for selection for a blockbuster clash against the in-form Blues.

Fremantle in line to regain star

The Dockers are confident ruckman Luke Jackson will face St Kilda on Friday as he nears the end of his recovery from a hamstring strain.

Jackson will need to get through training this week to be deemed available for his first game in a month.

A return would mean Jackson pairs with fellow tall Sean Darcy for the first time this year, with the latter having a delayed start to the year with his own injury battle.

"He has to get through training, but we're pretty positive about his progression and the work he's done," coach Justin Longmuir said on Tuesday.

"I felt like he could've played last week. We're hopeful.

"We'll like work [the ruck combination] out later. You'll likely see Sean as our No.1 ruck. We'll give a bit more (ruck) time to 'Jacko' than maybe what we have in the past though."

Fremantle are eyeing successive wins after knocking off Adelaide in Round 7, with. trip to Marvel Stadium this week to face St Kilda a chance for Longmuir's side to jump into the top eight.

Bulldogs star set for AFL return

2024 All-Australian Adam Treloar is set to make his AFL return this weekend, provided he passes a fitness test in the lead-up to the game.

Treloar has been sidelined throughout the season due to a calf injury, but has built continuity across the last couple of weeks.

“In some great news, Adam has built some great continuity in his training across the last few months after suffering an injury-interrupted preparation to the season,” Bulldogs Head of Sports Medicine Chris Bell said.

“For the last three weeks, he has trained fully and completed sessions that replicate match demands.

“He is chomping at the bit to pull the jumper on again, so if he gets through training like we expect, he will return to availability."

Nick Coffield and Lachie McNeil are also tests to return to action after overcoming hamstring injuries, while Luke Kennedy will exit concussion protocols by the weekend.

Richmond youngster makes successful return from ACL injury

Tigers defender Judson Clarke has made a successful comeback from an ACL tear over the weekend, returning unscathed from the VFL.

“Juddy went really well,” Richmond high performance manager Ben Serpell said.

“He was excited and did some good football things from what I understand.

“The coaches were pretty impressed wherever he went, and we are looking forward to seeing him out there again this week with some increased gametime.”