AFL Stars Grapple with Injury Woes as Pre-Season Takes its Toll
The AFL pre-season, a period typically marked by renewed hope and meticulous preparation, has unfortunately become a breeding ground for injury concerns for several key players across the competition. From the Power’s midfield maestro to the Giants’ defensive stalwarts, the path to the premiership season is already proving to be a challenging one, with crucial personnel sidelined by a range of ailments.
Horne-Francis’ Foot Frustrations Continue
Port Adelaide’s highly touted young gun, Jason Horne-Francis, has once again found himself on the sidelines due to a persistent foot issue. The dynamic 22-year-old, who was the AFL’s number one draft pick in 2021, was withdrawn from the field during a recent trial match against Adelaide. This latest setback comes after he underwent foot surgery in November to address a previous fracture sustained in round 18 last season. While the club has described the issue as “minor awareness” in his foot, prompting his rest, it raises concerns given his recent return to full pre-season training. This incident follows closely on the heels of him missing Port’s internal trial the week prior due to a knock to his shoulder during training.
GWS Giants Hit Hard by Hamstring Horrors
The injury curse has also significantly impacted Greater Western Sydney, with two players succumbing to hamstring injuries during their trial game against Collingwood. Influential forward Brent Daniels and emerging utility Cody Angove were both forced from the field in the second quarter, leaving the extent of their injuries yet to be fully determined.
These latest blows add to an already concerning pre-season for the Giants. Star midfielder Tom Green faces a devastating blow, set to miss the entire premiership season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his knee last week. Adding to their defensive woes, dual All-Australian defender Sam Taylor has been sent to a surgeon following scans that revealed a significant hamstring injury. Taylor sustained his injury while representing Western Australia in a State of Origin clash, and any surgical intervention will undoubtedly lead to a prolonged stint on the sidelines, ruling him out of the early stages of the season at a minimum.
Furthermore, livewire forward Toby Bedford is also grappling with a hamstring complaint, expected to keep him out of action for approximately four to six weeks. On-baller Finn Callaghan’s availability for GWS’s season opener against Hawthorn on March 7 is also in doubt due to a hip flexor injury. While he will miss all pre-season fixtures, the club remains hopeful of his inclusion against the Hawks, though time is clearly of the essence.
Carlton’s Cerra Concern and Weitering’s Rib Worry
The pre-season toll is not confined to the Giants, with other clubs also experiencing significant personnel issues. Carlton’s Adam Cerra is set to miss the early rounds of the premiership season after sustaining a hamstring injury during a match simulation against Brisbane. Cerra has a history of hamstring problems, having endured five recurring issues in 2024 alone, and is expected to be sidelined until at least after the Blues’ bye in round two.
However, there is some positive news for the Blues, with vice-captain and defensive cornerstone Jacob Weitering anticipated to be fit for their opening premiership season game against Sydney on March 5. Weitering had previously suffered a fractured rib while playing against Western Australia.
