Roughead to play decider after eye injury

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Bulldogs quietly confident their key ruckman will be fully recovered in time for decider against Giants.

Surgery awaits for Boyd

Western Bulldogs forward Tom Boyd will undergo major shoulder surgery at the end of the club's season.

Riewoldt undergoes unexpected ankle reco

Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt is facing a slow start to the AFL pre-season after undergoing an unexpected ankle reconstruction.

Injured Swans pair in hunt for shock preliminary final berths

Injured Sydney duo Gary Rohan and Jarrad McVeigh are attempting miraculous recoveries in a bid to be fit for the Swans' preliminary final showdown with Geelong on Friday night.

Tippett in line for return but McVeigh, Rohan unlikely

Sydney forward Gary Rohan is expected to be cleared of major structural damage to his knee but he and captain Jarrad McVeigh are unlikely to play in Friday night's preliminary final against Geelong.

Demon knocked out in VFL prelim final

Melbourne youngster Christian Salem has been knocked out after having his head driven into the ground in a heavy tackle during Sunday's VFL preliminary final at North Port Oval.

Fitness and discipline issues for Hawks

Striving to keep their tilt at history alive, Hawthorn expect teenager Ryan Burton to be available for Friday night's sudden-death semi-final against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.

Sicily a late out with illness

Hawthorn have been dealt a significant blow ahead of Friday night's qualifying final clash with Geelong after tall forward James Sicily was a late withdrawal through illness.

Relieved Cat ready to make a Menz in finals

Daniel Menzel was nervous last weekend. He had stopped thinking "knee-first" in April, but there are many body parts which can toy with a footballer's dreams.

Cats brace for 'selection headaches'

Geelong coach Chris Scott is bracing for "selection headaches" as the Cats prepare for their return to the finals.

Nic Nat gone for 2017

It is likely to be at least a year before Nic Naitanui plays football again, with the ruckman set to undergo traditional knee surgery on Wednesday afternoon.

Coach fears the worst for Naitanui, but says don't write off Eagles

Playing just his third game since undergoing surgery on both heels, Naitanui seriously injured his knee against Hawthorn.

'Nasty' barbell slip breaks North star's nose

North Melbourne's growing injury list has not helped their patchy form since they won the first nine matches of the season, but accidents like the one suffered by Sam Gibson in the club gym on Tuesday have added insult to injury.

St Kilda veteran Fisher escapes serious injury

Veteran St Kilda defender Sam Fisher could play against Richmond this week after he escaped serious injury in a bone-jarring collision in Saturday night's big loss to Sydney.

No return for O'Meara, with knee surgery scheduled

​Gold Coast midfield star Jaeger O'Meara will not be making his AFL comeback this year as he is to undergo season-ending knee surgery.

Encouraging news for two injured Roos

Scans have cleared key North Melbourne pair Ben Brown and Scott Thompson of significant injury.

Surgery successful, but no timeline on Waite's AFL return

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott faces a welcome headache as he ponders how best to bring a host of players back from injury but admits there's no timeline for Jarrad Waite's return.

Crows rule out Jacobs, Thompson for Lions clash

Adelaide have ruled out ruckman Sam Jacobs and veteran midfielder Scott Thompson for Saturday's AFL clash with Brisbane.

Waiting game for Bulldogs after Liberatore surgery

Western Bulldog pair Tom Liberatore and Jack Macrae - as well as North forward Jarrad Waite - will race to be fit for the finals.

Rioli, Puopolo should return for Dees clash

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says the Hawks should regain small forward pair Cyril Rioli and Paul Puopolo for next Saturday's clash against Melbourne at the MCG.

Heartbreak for young Lion on eve of debut

Uncapped Brisbane rookie Sam Skinner has suffered a season-ending knee injury just days from his AFL debut.

Saints to make returning talls wait

Reluctant to change a winning combination, St Kilda coach Alan Richardson says the timing of AFL returns for talls Paddy McCartin and Sam Fisher will depend on how the Saints perform.

Dogs' injury woes worsen

The luckless Western Bulldogs have been dealt further blows ahead of their Friday night blockbuster in Geelong, with defenders Matt Suckling and Matthew Boyd added to a lengthy injury list.

Foot surgery for young Cat Corey Gregson

Geelong young gun Cory Gregson has undergone surgery to insert screws in his foot.