2 hours ago, TRIGON said:

Has the amputation been a success?

4 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Hiya Ghosty, it was more than ‘two tiny punctures’ - he was bitten, had it cleaned up then it became infected. He attended a clinic, received several stitches and was put on an antibiotic IV drip. Your info sounds like it may have come from the period after the bite and before the infection. Agree that Edmunds has made it sound worse than it is though. (source: directly from the club - I was in town recently, donating some of my Grandfather’s footy stuff to the club and the MCC).

Any cool items ET?

My updated injury list:-

Jake Bowey (foot)

Tom Campbell (neck)

Jai Culley (arm)

Bayley Fritsch (hand)

Jack Henderson (back/sacrum)

Matthew Jefferson (foot)

Aidan Johnson (hamstring)

Luker Kentfield (knee)

Shane McAdam (Achilles)

Brodie Mihocek (concussion)

Andy Moniz-Wakefield (knee)

Jack Viney (Achilles)

Kalani White (glandular fever)

The ones coloured red are unlikely to play either because they won't be in line for selection, ready or available. The ones coloured blue may be selected if declared fit.

Injury update | Fritsch eyes Round 1

Has the club released any definitive report regarding Kentfield's knee injury?

At least we don't go the NHL route for i jury updates.

Upper body. Lower body

Indefinite, week to week, short term, long term etc.

12 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Has the club released any definitive report regarding Kentfield's knee injury?

He's officially listed as the old to 4-6.

With respect to Culley, I suspect he could (not will) be available for selection next weekend. He had surgery on 7 Feb and was quoted as a minimum of 4 weeks. This weekend will be week 4.

If he's firmly in King's frame he should be back by round 2 V Freo.

The official update came through last night: https://www.afl.com.au/matches/injury-list

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Jake Bowey	Foot	TBC
Tom Campbell	Neck	TBC
Jai Culley	Arm	TBC
Jack Henderson	Sacrum	TBC
Matt Jefferson	Foot	TBC
Luker Kentfield	Knee	4-6 weeks
Shane McAdam	Achilles	TBC
Brody Mihocek	Concussion	TBC
Andy Moniz-Wakefield	Knee	TBC
Jack Viney	Achilles	8 weeks
Kalani White	Glandular fever	TBC
Updated: March 3, 2026

In the mix

While no official timelines have been released by the Demons, they do have a handful of senior players unavailable for round one. Culley (arm) is racing the clock to be fit to face St Kilda after surgery on a fractured arm last month, Viney (Achilles) is ruled out until at least round eight, and Bowey (Lisfranc) is aiming for a mid-season return. In better news for the Demons, off-season recruit Mihocek should clear concussion protocols to make his first appearance for the club in round one. Promising tall forward Kentfield has avoided surgery on his knee after landing awkwardly in last week's practice match but is still expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks. Father-son tall White is back in Queensland with family while he recovers from glandular fever. - Alison O'Connor

MELBOURNE is hopeful mercurial forward Bayley Fritsch won’t miss any AFL football after a dog bite left him requiring surgery on the eve of the 2026 AFL Premiership Season.

Despite the bite leaving Fritsch with an infection to his hand, the Demon’s strong recovery leaves him well-placed for an attack on Round 1.

“Bayley tried to break up a fight between his two dogs and unfortunately got bitten in the process,” GM of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson said.

“His hand got infected, so he’s had surgery to wash out the infection.

“He’ll rejoin the group again on Thursday with an eye on working towards a Round 1 appearance.”

New recruit Brody Mihocek is also aiming to take on the Saints after missing last weekend’s pre-season clash with concussion.

“Brody is progressing really well after entering the concussion protocols following the match simulation hitout against North Melbourne,” Richardson said.

“We fully expect him to be available for Round 1 selection.”

Rising forward Luker Kentfield is set for a stint on the sidelines after an unfortunate mid-air hit early in the pre-season clash with Richmond.

“After a really solid pre-season and an impressive performance against the Kangaroos, it was really disappointing result for Luker,” Richardson said.

“He sustained an MCL tear, but fortunately he doesn’t need to have surgery.

“He’ll be in a brace for at least a couple of weeks with the view to being back around the six-week mark depending on the smoothness of his rehab process.”

Second-year Demon Jai Culley is ramping up his reintroduction to training following an arm fracture in February.

“Jai is progressing really well and will continue to increase his levels of training participation as he moves back into full contact drills,” Richardson said.

“He’s doing everything in his power to give himself a chance for Round 1.”

Fritsch - test

Culley - test

Mihocek - test

Henderson - 2 weeks (source - Ghosty)

Kentfield - 6 weeks

Viney - 8 weeks

Bowser - 3 months

Now for the complete guesses

---

AMW - 1-3 weeks

McAdam - 2-4 weeks

White - 1 months?

Campbell 4-6 weeks

Johnson 8-10 (hammy surgery generally 3 months)

Jefferson 8-10

26 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

The official update came through last night: https://www.afl.com.au/matches/injury-list

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Jake Bowey	Foot	TBC
Tom Campbell	Neck	TBC
Jai Culley	Arm	TBC
Jack Henderson	Sacrum	TBC
Matt Jefferson	Foot	TBC
Luker Kentfield	Knee	4-6 weeks
Shane McAdam	Achilles	TBC
Brody Mihocek	Concussion	TBC
Andy Moniz-Wakefield	Knee	TBC
Jack Viney	Achilles	8 weeks
Kalani White	Glandular fever	TBC
Updated: March 3, 2026

In the mix

While no official timelines have been released by the Demons, they do have a handful of senior players unavailable for round one. Culley (arm) is racing the clock to be fit to face St Kilda after surgery on a fractured arm last month, Viney (Achilles) is ruled out until at least round eight, and Bowey (Lisfranc) is aiming for a mid-season return. In better news for the Demons, off-season recruit Mihocek should clear concussion protocols to make his first appearance for the club in round one. Promising tall forward Kentfield has avoided surgery on his knee after landing awkwardly in last week's practice match but is still expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks. Father-son tall White is back in Queensland with family while he recovers from glandular fever. - Alison O'Connor

The list doesn’t include Bayley Fritsch and Aidan Johnson and it states that Kalani White is in Queensland with his family. This isn’t exactly correct because Kalani was sighted at the season launch on Monday night.

Also, according to ghosty, he’s recovered from his glandular fever but this doesn’t mean a great deal because it’s necessary for those recovering from this illness to exercise great caution and take a conservative approach to recovery to ensure that there’s no relapse or return of the symptoms.

Update from the club:

MELBOURNE is hopeful mercurial forward Bayley Fritsch won’t miss any AFL football after a dog bite left him requiring surgery on the eve of the 2026 AFL Premiership Season.

Despite the bite leaving Fritsch with an infection to his hand, the Demon’s strong recovery leaves him well-placed for an attack on Round 1.

“Bayley tried to break up a fight between his two dogs and unfortunately got bitten in the process,” GM of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson said.

“His hand got infected, so he’s had surgery to wash out the infection.

“He’ll rejoin the group again on Thursday with an eye on working towards a Round 1 appearance.”

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1964550/injury-update-fritsch-eyes-round-1

On 03/03/2026 at 13:46, Ghostwriter said:

Facts:

There was NEVER an infection

He went back to the club doctor this morning to have it checked. He’s fine.

Despite the bite leaving Fritsch with an infection to his hand, the Demon’s strong recovery leaves him well-placed for an attack on Round 1.

“Bayley tried to break up a fight between his two dogs and unfortunately got bitten in the process,” GM of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson said.

“His hand got infected, so he’s had surgery to wash out the infection.

Mumma Fritsch needs to stop telling porkies!

7 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Hiya Ghosty, it was more than ‘two tiny punctures’ - he was bitten, had it cleaned up then it became infected. He attended a clinic, received several stitches and was put on an antibiotic IV drip. Your info sounds like it may have come from the period after the bite and before the infection. Agree that Edmunds has made it sound worse than it is though. (source: directly from the club - I was in town recently, donating some of my Grandfather’s footy stuff to the club and the MCC).

As an interest ..where did it say stitches. Richardson said he had surgery to wash out the infection ..I didn’t read stitches. ?

35 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Despite the bite leaving Fritsch with an infection to his hand, the Demon’s strong recovery leaves him well-placed for an attack on Round 1.

“Bayley tried to break up a fight between his two dogs and unfortunately got bitten in the process,” GM of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson said.

“His hand got infected, so he’s had surgery to wash out the infection.

Mumma Fritsch needs to stop telling porkies!

It’s been pretty widely known since Monday that the bite which occurred Saturday had become infected and required a surgery but that it wouldn’t put him out for round one and he’ll train tomorrow with a guard

This reminds me of the time most of us on DL were trying to figure out if Brendan McCartney was in the coaches box or directing from the bench.

1 hour ago, Freddy Fuschia said:

The list doesn’t include Bayley Fritsch and Aidan Johnson and it states that Kalani White is in Queensland with his family. This isn’t exactly correct because Kalani was sighted at the season launch on Monday night.

Also, according to ghosty, he’s recovered from his glandular fever but this doesn’t mean a great deal because it’s necessary for those recovering from this illness to exercise great caution and take a conservative approach to recovery to ensure that there’s no relapse or return of the symptoms.

it's the official afl list; wasn't expecting accuracy...

So Viney Bowey Kentfield missing from the best 23 if all goes well regarding the tests

The Moose would have to be a red hot shot to make the 23

We can’t have JVR in the ruck if only him and Mihocek fwd

7 hours ago, FireInTheBennelly said:

That gif prompts several possible comments/responses. The most judicious of which is the one below…

8 hours ago, layzie said:

Any cool items ET?

1959 bronze premiership medallion and a match worn jumper from the 1957 GF are probably the highlights.

10 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

He says there’s harmony in the team, again.

Which is what all these changes were about.

Definitely want to see Max Heath and Jack Steele in round 1 versus the Saints.

There will be stiches. I was bitten by our cat when I was trying to come between him and a fluffy white moggy. I had two nights in hospital when it became infected, an operation to clean and drain the infection with stiches. I'm not saying I could have played football the next weekend but a steel butchers glove will get Fritta through.

Sounds like Bailey's skin is as thin as that of some posters on Land 🙄

Edited March 5Mar 5 by Stiff Arm

Fritta all good to go as confirmed by King.

Wasn't even his own dogs that bit him....