The AFL's pre-season always has plenty of intrigue as excitement builds towards a new season.
Which players are returning? Who's lighting up the track? Is there an early favourite for the premiership? Or the Brownlow?
But on the flip side, injuries and suspensions have plagued summer clashes, which in some cases, have put sides on the back foot before the new campaign begins.
From career-altering injuries to heavy hits and a slithery snake, we assess some of the biggest practice match disasters over the years.
3A Giant downed
Tom Green's ACL tear on the eve of the season sank the hearts of the GWS camp.
The reigning best and fairest winner was poised to explode as one of the competition's best midfielders in 2026, and his pairing with recruit Clayton Oliver would help spread the responsibilities.
However, while evading a tackle amid changing direction in an intra-club game, Green ruptured his ACL, ultimately ruling him out for the entire season.
The injury alone is a massive blow to the Giants, but when factoring in the absence of Josh Kelly for the majority of 2026, as well as doubts about the availability of Toby Bedford and Finn Callaghan in the early part of the campaign, Adam Kingsley's depth will be stretched.
