18 AFL clubs enter the bye with extensive injury lists

The bye round revealed the true scale of the physical problem plaguing Australian football in 2026. With data updated on 23 June, at least 60 players are listed as unavailable or being tested across the 18 AFL franchises – and some teams face genuine replacement bottlenecks for the coming weeks.

Crows and Lions lead the volume of expected returns

The Adelaide Crows are living a positive paradox: they have Mitch Hinge, Isaac Cumming and Jordon Butts ready to return at the same time as defender Josh Worrell comes back automatically after missing a match through illness. The team gained breathing room, while the Brisbane Lions are still managing Will Ashcroft (knee, 3 to 5 weeks), Hugh McCluggage (thigh, 2 weeks) and Dayne Zorko (quadriceps, 2 weeks). Ryan Lester is set to be reintegrated straight into the 23, which could cost Shadeau Brain his spot or force the move of Ty Gallop.

Essendon has up to eight players back; Fremantle remains almost unscathed

Essendon made good use of the free week. Andrew McGrath and Jye Caldwell should be available for the clash against North Melbourne, along with Isaac Kako and Darcy Parish. Four others – Angus Clarke, Matt Guelfi, Jayden Nguyen and Vigo Visentini – likely return via the VFL.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is Fremantle. The club has only Sam Sturt (knee/quadriceps) as a doubt for the next round. Ruckman Sean Darcy is being managed by Peel Thunder. The depth of the squad is raising the level of internal competition.

Long-term injuries and individual concerns

Some names deserve special attention for their potential impact. Geelong defender Tom Stewart remains undefined after concussion – and the club hopes to have him back for the duel against Brisbane in round 17. Meanwhile, Collingwood awaits the recovery of Darcy Moore (hamstring) with no set timeline, while Brayden Maynard nears a return after a shoulder dislocation.

At the Western Bulldogs, Cody Weightman is treated as a doubt after feeling pain in his elbow – not the one that underwent surgery, the other one. He is expected to be available in round 17. Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver is targeting a return between rounds 17 and 18 after a thigh muscle injury. Carlton, in turn, is banking on Jacob Weitering to be on the field on Saturday against West Coast.