AFL Round 21 Injury Update: Full Club-by-Club List for the Final Stretch

As the AFL season enters its final month, clubs are grappling with a wave of injuries and fitness tests ahead of Round 21. From key forwards to midfield generals, the availability of several stars remains uncertain, shaping the finals race and the fortunes of teams fighting for position. Here is the full club-by-club injury list, as compiled from official AFL updates.

Adelaide Crows

The Crows have several options to rebalance their lineup after a tall forward setup against Collingwood. Wingman Brayden Cook is available after being managed, while Callum Ah Chee offers attacking mobility. Defender Mark Keane is a significant inclusion after missing the Magpies loss due to illness, with his intercepting and ball use sorely missed. Jordon Butts is another key defensive option, while Charlie Edwards, Sid Draper, and Billy Dowling are available as hard-running options. Half-back Hinge is available if he passes training after overcoming a hamstring injury. Peatling will need a fitness test after managing hip and groin soreness for two weeks.

Brisbane Lions

Darragh Joyce is the likely replacement for the suspended Gallop to face Carlton on Saturday. Oscar Allen has played two VFL games, kicking two goals, but coach Chris Fagan indicated it would be difficult to make unforced changes to a team that has won seven consecutive games. If the Lions get creative, Allen could return with Eric Hipwood swinging into defence. Daniel Annable (37 disposals), Sam Marshall (29), and Will McLachlan (eight goals) are ready if called upon.

Carlton Blues

The Blues are hopeful McKay will return for Saturday night's clash against the Lions, but he needs to pass a fitness test later this week. Newman's injury means at least one enforced change. Ollie Hollands (28 disposals, 10 tackles) is a chance after impressing in the VFL, while Zac Williams (22 disposals, five tackles) and Adam Saad (26 disposals, 10 marks) are in contention. Ben Camporeale (30 disposals, six clearances) and Harry Charleson (22 disposals, eight marks) continue to press for debuts.

Collingwood Magpies

Maynard may not play again before September after injuring his knee against Adelaide. The star defender will undergo a procedure on a tendon and aim to return by the final round. De Goey missed training on Tuesday due to illness and needs to prove his health ahead of Thursday's bounce. Schultz is pushing to return from a syndesmosis injury against Geelong. Sam Swadling was dropped for the trip to South Australia and then fired in the VFL, while Mitch Podhajski kicked five goals against St Kilda on Friday.

Essendon Bombers

Another week brings at least two forced changes for the Bombers with Robey and Ridley injured. Kyle Langford is available after suspension and likely to return against Adelaide on Sunday. Ruck Nick Bryan and midfielder Jye Caldwell are options. Elijah Tsatas (34 disposals, six clearances, six tackles), Archie Perkins (28), Zak Johnson (27), and Darcy Parish (19, eight tackles, six clearances) all played well at VFL level, as did Jade Gresham (23 and two goals) and Vigo Visentini (21, 27 hitouts, six clearances). Tom Edwards is also available after his hamstring injury.

Fremantle Dockers

The Dockers should be boosted by the return of star midfielder Hayden Young after he was sidelined for the Western Derby with illness. Key defender Brennan Cox is also expected to return after being managed against the Eagles with a knee issue, meaning unlucky backman Oscar McDonald will likely return to the WAFL despite a brilliant shutdown performance on Jake Waterman in his 100th game. There were no fresh injury concerns, meaning the 23 should remain steady unless the runaway ladder leaders opt to manage other players with niggles. Wingman Jeremy Sharp and speedy forward Chris Scerri remain on the cusp of selection, while small defender Brandon Walker could step into the backline if needed.

Geelong Cats

Sam De Koning will be available to face Collingwood after missing last Friday's game with illness. However, Dangerfield is listed as a test after jarring his hip in the Melbourne clash. Despite training on Tuesday, a final call on the skipper's availability will be made later in the week. Stanley will sit out on Thursday night after suffering calf tightness at training. He will undergo further assessment, with a return-to-play timeline expected next week. Molier and Matofai-Forbes will also miss after picking up injuries in Saturday's VFL game. Conway will spend the rest of the 2026 season building a fitness base ahead of next year's pre-season.

Gold Coast Suns

There are plenty of options as Damien Hardwick and the Suns look to break a nine-game losing streak on Sunday against Melbourne. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan kicked 3.4 in the VFL last week in a low-scoring game. Sam Clohessy (32 disposals) continued to rack up possessions, while Alex Davies and Jake Rogers have put their hands up after overcoming recent injuries.

Greater Western Sydney Giants

Callaghan will undergo surgery later this week after spraining his ankle in Saturday's loss to Sydney, ruling him out for the rest of the season. He could be replaced by Toby McMullin following a 17-disposal, five-tackle, five-clearance VFL game. Briggs is in line to return after missing two weeks with a leg infection, while Ricciardi could play his first game since injuring his ankle in round 11. He is listed as a test alongside Hannaford, with the trio needing to pass training to prove fitness. Aleer, Hogan, and Smith are all done for the year with season-ending injuries, while Leake missed last week's VFL match because of leg bone stress.

Hawthorn Hawks

Sam Mitchell will make at least two changes for the trip to Launceston this weekend after Lewis suffered a concussion early in the win over Essendon. Mraz will miss an extended period with a lacerated kidney but hasn't been ruled out for the season. Aidan Schubert was an emergency in round 20 and could make his debut against North Melbourne after an impressive first season at Box Hill. Will McCabe was squeezed out and could regain his spot, while Calsher Dear is another option in attack. Bodie Ryan and Finn Maginness were both busy in the VFL.

Melbourne Demons

The Demons will be forced to make at least two changes after a bruising clash with the Cats. Chandler has undergone surgery on a fractured hand and will miss the clash with the Suns, while Pickett is in concussion protocols. Fritsch is sore after copping a knock to his ribs late in the game, and while there's no internal damage, he will undergo a fitness test ahead of Sunday. Jiath and Windsor also face fitness tests after missing the game against Geelong. Young defender Adams' season is over after rupturing his PCL playing in the VFL. In positive news, young gun Xavier Lindsay will play his first game since April after managing a hip and groin issue, with the 19-year-old to play managed minutes at VFL level. Veteran forward Jake Melksham (1.3 from 16 disposals, seven marks) or Luker Kentfield (three goals) could be recalled after strong showings at the lower level, while big man Max Heath (32 hitouts, six clearances, seven tackles) looks primed if the Dees want to return to a two-ruck setup.

North Melbourne Kangaroos

The Kangas will put Comben through a fitness test ahead of Saturday's clash against the Hawks, having dealt with 'acute internal soreness'. It could leave the side short down back, though Wil Dawson (18 disposals, three goals) performed strongly in a ruck role in the VFL. Riley Hardeman was an emergency at AFL level, while Tom Blamires (32 disposals, one goal) will also be a chance. McDonald and Wardlaw are set to remain sidelined for at least another week, while Duursma will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery.

Port Adelaide Power

Port is running out of troops entering the final month of the season. With no timeline on Lukosius, the options for Josh Carr are limited ahead of hosting Greater Western Sydney this weekend. Evans is out for the season and will undergo surgery, opening the door for either Jacob Wehr or Jackson Mead to return to face the Giants.

Richmond Tigers

Miller and Green are expected to be available to face West Coast, with Alger and Burton more of an outside chance, needing to get through training unscathed. Armstrong will be kept at one week, given the VFL team has a bye this weekend. Sims has been ruled out for the season, with it decided not to risk him for the final two VFL matches, while Balta remains at TBC. The VFL side lost badly, with Kane McAuliffe (22 disposals, two clearances) and Judson Clarke (16) among the better performers.

St Kilda Saints

King will miss the rest of the season after his AFL return ended with another hamstring strain. Marshall was a very late withdrawal with back spasms in the warm-up and will need to prove his fitness ahead of Saturday's game against Sydney. Sharman and Lake were also removed from the 23 that was picked last round and face fitness tests on Thursday.

Sydney Swans

Cunningham has been progressing through the League's concussion protocols and is a test for selection this week. Wicks is also a test to return for the first time since round 16 after resuming full training and completing speed progressions. Meanwhile, Snell is set for a short spell on the sidelines after pulling up sore with a knee sprain.

West Coast Eagles

Co-captain Liam Baker is set to return after serving a one-match ban just in time to face his former club, a big boost for the Eagles. They will also regain tough onballer and dual premiership Tiger Jack Graham after he was managed with some soreness. Young forward/ruck Cooper Duff-Tytler booted three first-half goals in an excellent return from a calf injury in the WAFL, with the option to recall him and shuffle the magnets, sending Jack Williams back as a third tall defender. Skilful half-back Josh Lindsay, midfielder Elijah Hewett, and former Magpie Finlay Macrae are others pushing hard for AFL selection, with Francou's knee laceration opening a spot in the midfield.

Western Bulldogs

The Western Bulldogs are still without Budarick and Dale and might not regain them unless they play finals. Footscray smashed Richmond in the VFL, where Louis Emmett, Lachie McNeil, Luke Cleary, and Harvey Gallagher all impressed at Whitten Oval. Luke Kennedy was squeezed out of the team in round 20.

FAQ: AFL Round 21 Injury Concerns

Which key players are most likely to miss Round 21?

Collingwood's Maynard (knee), St Kilda's King (hamstring, season-ending), and GWS's Callaghan (ankle, season-ending) are confirmed outs. Carlton's McKay, Geelong's Dangerfield, and North Melbourne's Comben are tests. Essendon's Ridley and Robey are also out with injuries.

Are there any significant returns expected this round?

Yes. Fremantle's Hayden Young and Brennan Cox are expected back. West Coast's Liam Baker and Jack Graham are set to return. Adelaide's Mark Keane and Brayden Cook are available. Melbourne's Xavier Lindsay will play his first game since April at VFL level.

Which teams are facing the most selection pressure?

Port Adelaide is running low on troops with Lukosius and Evans out. Essendon has at least two forced changes. Melbourne must replace Chandler and Pickett. Hawthorn will make at least two changes after Lewis's concussion and Mraz's kidney injury.

How does the injury list affect the finals race?

The injury list is critical as teams jostle for finals positions. Brisbane, Fremantle, and Carlton are dealing with key player availability. Collingwood's Maynard injury could impact their defensive structure. The final month will test squad depth across the competition.