AFL availability

The latest word on every player whose availability came up in a press conference in the last three weeks.

Sam Darcy Western Bulldogs · 15 Oct, 11:20am AEDT

Sam Darcy has "done a tiny bit of running" and, as far as Western Bulldogs list boss Michael Regan knows, his rehab is "tracking along as scheduled". Darcy was in for rehab every day, and Regan thinks he is now at Oktoberfest in Germany.

Jordan Ridley Geelong Cats · 15 Oct, 11:19am AEDT

Jordan Ridley has played 26 games in three years, and Geelong list boss Andrew Mackie admits that's a risk. "There's not exact science to that. There is a bit of a punt on it." He's betting a fresh start helps Ridley's body, with extra strength work already bringing gains.

Darcy Jones, Tom Green, Phoenix Gothard, Cody Angove, Oskar Taylor GWS Giants · 15 Oct, 11:19am AEDT

Phoenix Gothard, injured two-thirds into last season, returns for GWS with Tom Green and Darcy Jones. Jason McCartney wants youngsters in the departed players' roles: "we need to provide those opportunities." He named Cody Angove and halfbacks Harry Oliver and Oskar Taylor.

Joshua Kelly GWS Giants · 15 Oct, 11:19am AEDT

Asked if Josh Kelly will be ready for the start of the season, GWS's Jason McCartney wouldn't commit: "the timelines are a bit indefinite at the moment." Kelly is running but progressing slowly, just over 12 months after major surgery, with checks before and after Christmas.

Rowan Marshall, Mitchell Edwards, Toby Conway Geelong Cats · 15 Oct, 8:02am AEDT

Toby Conway has "had a bit of injuries the last couple of years," Geelong's Andrew Mackie said, and the club would love him to get a good run. Mackie backed Rowan Marshall and 21-year-old Mitchell Edwards as a two-ruck pairing: "5 on the bench really helps that."

Brayden Fiorini, Nicholas Martin Essendon · 8 Oct, 2:38pm AEDT

Nick Martin, who missed last year, and recruit Brayden Fiorini, injured at the start of the year, are both coming back, Essendon's Matt Rosa said: "We're looking forward to those 2 coming back."

Blake Thredgold, Tom Powell North Melbourne · 5 Oct, 4:13pm AEDT

"No, he didn't fall out of favour, he's injured." North Melbourne's Brady Rawlings on Tom Powell, who is "well and truly" in the best team and due back for pre-season. Blake Thredgold, an early second-round pick, missed all year injured and gets another pre-season.

Harley Barker Geelong Cats · 5 Oct, 1:57pm AEDT

No knee surgery for Gryan Miers before 2027: Geelong's Andrew Mackie called the medical feedback "really positive" and said Miers worked through the mental side too. Harley Barker, drafted last year, is through a knee reconstruction; Mackie is "really confident" in him.