This is from an update in today’s Herald Sun on every club’s injury list -

MELBOURNE

A new-look Melbourne will come together at Casey in the coming weeks, and all of the shiny new toys should be ready to go on day one. Andy Moniz-Wakefield was shaping as a strong contributor in a new-look half-back role before his ACL tear, but should be ready for a full, but managed, pre-season. Jake Lever had a wretched run with ankle issues in 2025 but the club is confident he will be right for a strong pre-season. Shane McAdam is progressing from a February achilles tendon injury, with the forward closing in on nine months of rehab work. He’ll likely be limited throughout the summer as he pushes for a return in early 2026.

I'm posting here just to bump the thread because I'm interested in any updates people have about Lever, AMW, and our general health, but... Surely at this point we can confirm that Essendon is just straight up cursed?

afl.com.au

Top Bombers draftee laid low by back concern

Sullivan Robey faces a delayed start to his first pre-season at Essendon

As they should be, but it's pretty rough on the kids forced to go there.

31 minutes ago, Little Goffy said:

I'm posting here just to bump the thread because I'm interested in any updates people have about Lever, AMW, and our general health, but... Surely at this point we can confirm that Essendon is just straight up cursed?

afl.com.au

Top Bombers draftee laid low by back concern

Sullivan Robey faces a delayed start to his first pre-season at Essendon

As they should be, but it's pretty rough on the kids forced to go there.

Only there 5 minutes and he's already off sick with a 'bad back' wanting compo

AMW has told us that he can only return to full training in the new year. His knee was pretty much mangled in that tackle at Arden Street last February, so whilst he has clearly done a power of work he may still be a watch re availability for Round 1 - more "boxes to tick" as they say.

Jack Henderson seems still to be struggling with his groin at training and has not joined any of the main sessions. There has been nothing natural about his running form - also definitely a watch.

Jack Viney also seems a bit sore at the moment - maybe an achilles? Photos from Bright show him working with Henderson.

Not aware of anyone coming off surgery. Lever seems unhampered.

Mihocek has to recover from his toe injury, but seems to be progressing well and CJ seems to be in and out of training drills - not sure what is going on there....

No update on Matthews coming off his PCL from last year - will get a look at him when they are back at Gosch's.

Jack Henderson has been struggling with a groin injury listed as far back as July this year. For the trackwatchers is there some risk he will end up on the Long Term Injury list and create an opening for a player we have as a train on over summer?

13 minutes ago, Harvey Wallbanger said:

done a power of work

Is that you Goody?

1 hour ago, Older demon said:

Jack Henderson has been struggling with a groin injury listed as far back as July this year. For the trackwatchers is there some risk he will end up on the Long Term Injury list and create an opening for a player we have as a train on over summer?

Why did we resign Henderson when he is deep depth only and struggled to get on the field for most of last year? I would have given Brown or Woewodin another year in preference.

Poster on Facebook questioning whether Brody Mihocek has broken down at the training camp. Anyone know if there's any truth in the query?

3 minutes ago, Rolling Stone said:

Poster on Facebook questioning whether Brody Mihocek has broken down at the training camp. Anyone know if there's any truth in the query?

I think he is in rehab for an injury he sustained at pies, hopefully he didn’t hurt himself on the hike up Mt Buller?

Essendon are cursed

2 hours ago, Demonland said:

Essendon are cursed

Not nice to see, but glad it’s not one of ours.

If they didn’t sack their performance coach, surely they’re close.

Is Caleb Windsor 100%? He had foot issues last year and I’m really excited to see what he can do with a full pre season and a license to break lines from half back.

So far Caleb has participated fully in all training sessions - we'll get a better glimpse of them all this week as they are at Gosch's MWF .....

13 hours ago, demosaw said:

Is Caleb Windsor 100%? He had foot issues last year and I’m really excited to see what he can do with a full pre season and a license to break lines from half back.

Caleb is looking sensational in match sim drills - his running is at full throttle.

1 hour ago, Tim said:

Caleb is looking sensational in match sim drills - his running is at full throttle.

Is Windsor training with the back line or mids this pre season he was awesome at the back end of the year in the midfield

We might get a better idea of exactly what role he will have as they crank up the match sims. Geelong provides a good blueprint though with the way they use their paciest player, Holmes....let's see.

They’re training tomorrow so that should tell us a few stories about how the injured players are faring.