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Biggest AFL Injury Concerns Heading Into the 2026 Season

Jesse Mclure

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Last updated: Tue 10 Feb 2026 12:01

Jesse Mclure 10 Feb 2026

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Preseason injuries impact key players like Hawthorn's Will Day.
Essendon's outlook is affected by long-term injury concerns.
Teams like Brisbane & Geelong show resilience against injuries.

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The Biggest Injury Concerns Heading Into the 2026 AFL Season

The Biggest Injury Concerns Heading Into the 2026 AFL Season
Why Preseason Injuries Matter More Than Ever
Hawthorn’s Will Day Injury Looms Large
Essendon’s Injury List Still Shapes Expectations
St Kilda’s Forward Line Hinges on Max King
Port Adelaide’s Early Disruptions Add Up
Why Some Clubs Can Absorb Injuries Better Than Others

Every AFL preseason produces injury lists, but not every injury carries the same weight. Some slow down preparation. Others quietly reshape expectations before the season even begins.

Heading into 2026, several clubs are already facing injury concerns that go beyond simple availability. These are injuries that affect structure, game style, and how much upside a team can realistically access.

Why Preseason Injuries Matter More Than Ever

The modern AFL season doesn’t allow teams much time to ease players back in. Early-season losses can linger, especially for clubs trying to establish momentum or bounce back from disappointing years.

The concern isn’t just who is injured, but where those injuries hit midfield depth, key position stocks, or leadership roles.

Hawthorn’s Will Day Injury Looms Large

Will Day’s shoulder injury is one of the most significant preseason storylines.

Hawthorn’s rise has been built around balance and system, but Day is the midfielder who tilts games when things break down. Without him for a large portion of the season, the Hawks lose a layer of class and composure around stoppages.

Hawthorn is well coached and deep enough to remain competitive, but this injury places pressure on the next tier of midfielders to hold ground early in the season.

Essendon’s Injury List Still Shapes Expectations

Essendon’s 2026 outlook remains heavily influenced by health.

Nick Martin’s ACL injury removes a proven wing/half-back contributor, while Jordan Ridley’s interrupted preseason raises familiar concerns about defensive stability. Add to that a cluster of players returning from long-term injuries, and the picture becomes fragile again.

For a club trying to move past “almost” seasons, another injury-affected start would feel like a repeat rather than progress.

St Kilda’s Forward Line Hinges on Max King

Max King’s ongoing setbacks remain a defining issue for St Kilda.

The Saints’ ability to convert inside-50 entries has been a problem for years, and King is central to fixing that. Without clarity around his availability, St Kilda’s forward structure becomes difficult to plan.

It’s not just about goals, it’s about how the entire forward line functions around him.

Port Adelaide’s Early Disruptions Add Up

Port Adelaide enters 2026 with several early-season concerns layered on top of broader uncertainty.

Jason Horne-Francis’ preseason interruption, Sam Powell-Pepper’s ACL recovery, and Ollie Wines’ suspension all affect the midfield mix. None are catastrophic on their own, but together they disrupt continuity at a time when the club needs stability.

Early turbulence can become narrative quickly.