With just two rounds of action remaining for clubs to jostle for finals positions, the best ability, as they say, is availability.
Clubs across the country have communicated updates around the health of their lists.
Hawks midfielder's season is over
In a blow to the Hawks midfield stocks, Irishman Connor Nash is out for the remainder of the 2026 season due to a lingering nerve issue in his neck that has kept him out since Round 11.
He will undergo surgery in the next couple of days to relieve the inflammation around the nerve in his neck. Nash was eyeing a return ahead of finals, before conversations with specialists had the club decide that this is the best course of action.
The issue in his neck prevented him from doing contact training until he regained his strength, but with two rounds remaining and finals to come, time ran out for the midfielder. He is expected to be fully fit by the start of preseason and resume normal proceedings in 2027.
Not the news we wanted ❤️🩹https://t.co/hleRenG3pL
— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) August 11, 2026
Mixed news for the reigning premiers
Rebounding Brisbane Lions defender Keidean Coleman is available for Saturday's Round 23 QClash against the Gold Coast Suns.
Coleman, who was sidelined after entering concussion protocols, trained on Tuesday clearing him to play while veteran Dayne Zorko, who experienced some hamstring awareness during last week's clash against Hawthorn, also trained and will be available.
In a blow however, the Lions confirmed that co-captain Hugh McCluggage will miss once again following a minor calf strain. The Lions have said that they will take a cautious approach with McCluggage as finals approach, estimating a return in 1-2 weeks time.
Building towards QClash 31 🧱 https://t.co/jwz64ppocB
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) August 11, 2026
More struggles at Tigerland
Sam Lalor will be a test for the Tigers on Saturday afternoon as they take on St Kilda, with the young star pulling up sore after a collision impacted his right knee, late in Richmond's close loss to the Crows.
Noah Balta will miss the remainder of the season with a toe injury while Sam Cumming went in for shoulder surgery on Monday, and will start the rehabilitation process for next season. This takes the Tigers' injury list to ten players.
Sam Lalor has been listed as a test ahead of Saturday's clash with St Kilda. Click below for full details in this week's @nibhealth injury update 🤕⤵️https://t.co/ZIiGOY95DE
— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) August 11, 2026
Crows trio all tests for Friday night
Defenders James Borlase (hamstring), Nick Murray (knee) and Luke Nankervis (chest) will all be tests for Friday night's clash against ladder leaders Fremantle.
Adelaide high performance boss Ian McKeown said the three of them all got through training on Monday and Tuesday.
"I think for all three they probably just came up short last weekend, McKeown said.
"Certainly with an extra week to recover, they'll all be pushing hard to put their hands up."
A final decision on their availability is to be made in the next 24-48 hours as Jordan Butts' calf/achilles injury timeline still TBC.
An update on James Borlase, Luke Nankervis and Nick Murray ahead of Friday night's clash against Fremantle.https://t.co/ejIdO6bS8f
— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) August 11, 2026
Sun a test for QClash game
Although there are no fresh injury concerns following the Suns win against GWS, Sam Collins will once again be a test to be available for Saturday's game against the Lions. He missed the side's win last week with a rib injury while Lachie Weller will remain sidelined with a hamstring complaint.
Updates on a Power pair
Emerging utility Joe Richards is available, having overcome a finger complaint. Jason Horne-Francis is a test after an awkward moment during the club's big loss at the hands of the Swans.
Saints in shambles after Sunday shocker
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera will miss 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury sustained in the first quarter of his side's loss to Carlton on Sunday.
It's tough news to take for the club, whose big spending last off-season has yielded an underwhelming season. The side looked bereft of attacking drive after 'Nas' left the field of play.
Recruits Liam Ryan and Tom de Koning are both tests for the club's next clash - a rendezvous with Richmond - after suffering shoulder knocks las time out.
Mason Wood also succumbed to a calf injury against Carlton, and may miss up to three weeks.
