Injury Woes Plague AFL Clubs Ahead of Season Start
The pre-season has been marred by a spate of concerning injuries, casting a shadow over several AFL clubs as the opening rounds approach. Prominent players are facing extended stints on the sidelines, impacting team strategies and raising questions about player welfare.
Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell Out for Opening Month
Gold Coast Suns have been dealt a significant blow with the news that Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell will miss at least the first month of the upcoming season. The star midfielder sustained a severe finger injury during a State of Origin match last Saturday night in Perth, where he was representing Victoria.
Rowell underwent surgery in Melbourne on Thursday to repair his shattered left-hand ring finger, an injury sustained while smothering a ball. A club insider confirmed that scans and the subsequent surgery revealed the damage to be far more serious than initially assessed immediately after the match, where it was thought to be a bad dislocation that might only sideline him for a single game. Pins and screws were inserted to mend the severely damaged bone.
The earliest Rowell is expected to return is after the Suns’ first bye, which occurs after round three. However, even this timeline is not guaranteed, as his recovery hinges on the speed at which the bones knit. The Suns’ initial fixtures see them facing Geelong in the opening round, followed by West Coast and Richmond. While two of these early opponents were among the bottom-ranked teams last season, Rowell’s absence will undoubtedly test the Suns’ midfield depth. Fortunately, the strong form of Wil Powell, who also featured in the State of Origin clash and impressed in a practice match against St Kilda, offers some reassurance in the midfield.
Giants Defender Sam Taylor Faces Lengthy Layoff
The injury concerns are not confined to the Suns. Greater Western Sydney’s All-Australian key defender, Sam Taylor, has also been sidelined with a high-grade hamstring injury. While an official timeframe for his return is yet to be announced, a senior club source indicated fears that Taylor’s recovery could take up to 10 weeks.
Sam Durham Commits to Essendon Long-Term
In more positive news for the Bombers faithful, Essendon has secured the long-term commitment of Sam Durham. The 24-year-old midfielder has inked a four-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until at least the end of the 2032 season. This signing comes at a crucial time for Essendon, following a turbulent off-season that saw star midfielder Zach Merrett reportedly attempting to move to Hawthorn.
Essendon has been vocal about their ambitions to attract high-profile recruits, reportedly offering a substantial seven-year deal worth up to $10 million to Hawks youngster Josh Weddle, who ultimately re-signed with Hawthorn. However, retaining and re-signing their existing core talent, like Durham, is being viewed as equally, if not more, important for the club’s long-term prospects.
Durham, who debuted in 2021 and has since played 91 games, has established himself as a consistent starter under coach Brad Scott. His explosive style and hard-nosed approach make him a fan favourite and a vital cog in the Bombers’ midfield.
Essendon list boss Matt Rosa highlighted Durham’s loyalty as a cornerstone of the club’s list development strategy.
“Sam is an icon for our younger players and a massive part of our future,” Rosa stated. “His rise from a mid-season draftee to one of the competition’s elite emerging midfielders is a credit to his ruthless pursuit of improvement. He plays with an intensity that inspires his teammates and excites our fans. He epitomises the type of person we want at Essendon. To have a player of his calibre reject the lures of free agency to commit for a further four years, it shows our players truly believe in the path we are on.”
Durham himself expressed his contentment with his decision.
“Essendon is exactly where I want to be,” he said. “I have great faith in this list and in Brad [Scott] and the coaches to take us where we need to go. There’s a real sense of confidence in the program; we’re working hard every day to get better, and I’m just excited to be a part of it.”
Durham has been a consistent performer, finishing in the top three of Essendon’s best and fairest awards in both 2024 and 2025.
Jason Horne-Francis’s Pre-Season Troubles Continue
Port Adelaide’s star player Jason Horne-Francis is enduring a difficult pre-season, with a foot issue forcing him from the field during a recent trial match. Horne-Francis, who underwent foot surgery in November, was withdrawn from the second half of the Power’s trial against Adelaide on Friday.
The club reported that the on-baller experienced “minor awareness” in his foot, leading to his precautionary withdrawal. This latest concern adds to Horne-Francis’s injury woes. The dynamic 22-year-old, who fractured his foot in round 18 last season and had a plate removed in November, only recently returned to full pre-season training. He also missed Port’s internal trial the previous week after sustaining a knock to his shoulder during training.
The AFL’s number one draft pick from 2021 has had a stop-start preparation for the upcoming season, raising concerns about his immediate impact. The Giants’ injury list also grew during their trial against Collingwood, with Brent Daniels and Cody Angove both suffering hamstring injuries.
