AFL Fantasy Injuries 2024: As tedious as it can feel at times ensuring you're up to date with injuries during the AFL fantasy football season is crucial for success. Keeping track of player injuries helps avoid selecting sidelined players and allows for backup planning. Injuries significantly impact a player's performance and fantasy value, making it essential to stay informed for strategic selections.
Certain players in the traditional skill pool carry more weight and scrutiny due to their potential impact on fantasy scoring outcomes. Monitoring their injury statuses throughout the summer is crucial for adapting selection strategies and making informed decisions. Staying abreast of injuries is not just a good practice but a necessity for coaches to navigate the select effectively and gain a competitive edge in the competitions.
Will Ashcroft
Position: Midfielder Team: Brisbane Lions
Brisbane's Prince suffered a gut-wrenching ACL injury late in the 2023 season and is aiming for a mid-season 2024 return. He'll return in good shape and could even push for POD status if he hits the ground running.
Sean Darcy
Position: Ruckman
Team: Fremantle Dockers
Freo's number #1 big man is heading into the preseason with a niggly Ankle injury that coaches need to monitor. Darcy has a concerning injury history and if he were to miss any time, his fellow big man Luke Jackson become an automatic must-start! Will Day
Position: Midfielder
Team: Hawthorn Hawks
Another young gun Will Day has picked up a nasty injury this preseason, fracturing his foot early on in 2024 preparations. Day is aiming for a round 4 return which could be beneficial for players like Josh Ward and James Worpel. Dylan Moore
Position: Forward
Team: Hawthorn Hawks
The forward position is proving to be a headache early on in 2024 and it just got a little bit harder with popular selection Dylan Moore being diagnosed Glandular fever. Hopefully it doesn't hurt his fitness too much, but monitor that situation before adding him to your GameDay Squad teams.
Jack Sinclair
Position: Defender
Team: St Kilda Saints
Fantasy stud Jack Sinclair will miss both practice matches but should be ready to fire for round 1. Sinclair will be a mainstay in most fantasy teams this preseason so just monitor just in case! Callum Mills
Position: Midfielder
Team: Sydney Swans
Swans skipper Callum Mills suffered a shoulder injury wrestling (?) with a teammate in the off-season. Suspect behaviour from the newly appointed captain who will now be sidelined until the midseason minimum.
Jack Macrae
Position: Forward
Team: Western Bulldogs
The number #1 ranked forward heading into 2024 has battled with a sore hammy for a lot of the preseason. Macrae is expected to miss both practice matches and should be fit for round 1. But like Sinclair above, he'll be so popular everyone should do the due-diligence and keep an eye on his status.
Cameron Guthrie
Position: Midfielder
Team: Geelong
Cam Guthrie suffered what looked like a cruel hamstring injury in Geelong's scratch match with Carlton. Scans will give a clearer return date, but it didn't look good for the Cats mid!
Sam Walsh
Position: Midfielder
Team: Carlton Blues
It's hard to say if the Blues are just being extremely cautious with their young star or if Walsh has suffered a set back but it has been revealed that Walsh is on light duties and will miss both practice matches with Walsh still suffering from ongoing back issues.
Angus Brayshaw
Position: Defender
Team: Melbourne Demons
In cruel breaking news, Melbourne Demons premiership hero Angus Brayshaw announced that he was stepping away from the game at the age of 28 due to concussions. Jack Billings, Christian Salem and Trent Rivers are all names to watch to fill the Brayshaw size gap. Isaac Cumming
Position: Defender
Team: Greater Western Sydney Giants
GWS rebound defender Isaac Cumming will miss some early games with a calf injury. He should slot right back into the GWS side when he's healthy - something i'm keen to keep an eye on. With Lachie Whitfield, Harry Himmelberg and Lachie Ash all supposedly working it off half-back, i'll be keen to see how this defence works out AFL Fantasy wise. Luke Ryan
Position: Defender
Team: Fremantle Dockers
Luke Ryan hasn't been able to properly put his foot through a footy so far this preseason. He's had some trouble with his kicking ankle that has held him back. He'll miss both practice matches but could be good to go for round 1. Jordan Clark is a player i'm very keen on if Ryan were to miss matches or relinquish kick-in duties. Matt Crouch
Position: Midfielder
Team: Adelaide Crows
Matt Crouch has busted up his finger... which is concerning because the man hates putting leather to foot. Last seasons leading handballer by average per game should be okay to suit up for at least one practice game, just keep tabs.
Clayton Oliver
Position: Midfielder
Team: Melbourne Demons
Clayton Oliver is usually used to being stuck in 98% of all fantasy teams this time of the year but some off-field concerns have tarnished his name a little bit. No one really seems to know exactly what is going on with him but as we stand today he should play round one.
Tarryn Thomas
Position: Midfielder
Team: North Melbourne Kangaroos
... Kicked out of the league Bailey Smith
Position: Forward
Team: Western Bulldogs
Cruel for AFL fantasy coaches, Smith could have been anything in fantasy this year but unfortunately for the man himself, Doggies fans and fantasy players, Smith will miss the entire season with an ACL injury. Draftee Ryley Sanders becomes a very interesting dynasty fantasy prospect!
