"The best ability is availability." "Health is wealth." These are examples of adages footy fans will be force-fed as the 2025 AFL season rapidly approaches its climax.
As cliche as these phrases are, teams boasting the shortest injury lists come September best position themselves to claim the flag.
Who are the needle movers that this year's finals contenders are looking to welcome back? We take a look with just five home and away matches remaining.
5Hawthorn
It's mixed news at Hawthorn, with tagger Finn Maginness ruled out for the rest of the season with a lacerated kidney.
In the same week, the long-awaited return of fledgling superstar Will Day has been confirmed. The South Australian midfielder averaged 23 disposals and a goal a game in the first month of the season, before being sidelined for the next 14 matches with a stress fracture in his foot.
At his damaging best, Day changes the complexion of Sam Mitchell's midfield drastically, evidenced by the struggles the Hawks endured in the engine room in the weeks directly following his forced absence.
With Day's return now imminent, focus turns to the back of prototypical product Josh Weddle. The Hawks are yet to provide a timeline for a potential return for Weddle, but he shapes as a key piece of any success the brown and gold will achieve come finals. His rare combination of size, running power and ball use culminate in a nightmare matchup for opposing coaches.
