Injury Report | Triple test as sights set on Round 1
Check out Melbourne’s latest AFLW injury news
WITH Round 1 now just days away, Melbourne is making its final calls on availability, with several players needing to prove their fitness ahead of Saturday night’s season opener.
AFLW High Performance Manager Josh Keily joined Melbourne Media to provide the latest on the squad’s injury list.
Kate Hore is pushing to be ready for the clash with the Western Bulldogs after sustaining bone bruising against Adelaide in the club’s final pre-season hit out.
“Kate suffered some bone bruising in our game against the Crows and has been working through a modified program as a result,” Keily said.
“She has made some progress this week but still has some markers to hit and things to tick off prior to the weekend.
“As we know, Kate is the ultimate professional and will be doing everything possible to make sure she’s ready to go for Round 1.”
Maeve Chaplin has been managing some hamstring awareness and will ramp up her training load later this week, in order to be ready for the match at Mission Whitten Oval.
“Maeve showed some neural hamstring symptoms late last week, and given these symptoms, we’ve taken a conservative approach with her training load,” Keily said.
“She did some light training on Monday. We will look to progress her further tomorrow, and later in the week.
“Similar to Kate, Maeve will be doing everything she can to put her hand up for selection for Saturday night.”
Sinéad Goldrick returned to the club late last week after her successful campaign with Dublin.
“It was great to have Goldie back at the club after her win over in Ireland,” Keily said.
“We’re taking a slow approach with her transition back into training, but she’s super excited to be back around the group and the program.”
In other news, Georgia Gall will miss the opening round as she recovers from an ankle injury sustained in the pre-season hit out against Adelaide, while Gab Colvin is progressing in her rehab from an MCL injury.
“Gally ticked off some running on Monday, which is really good, and we’ll look to progress her over the next week,” Keily said.
“Gab’s doing really well too. She’s ticked off some solid lower-body strength work and straight-line running and will now look to start some change-of-direction work.”
In positive news, the club has confirmed a clean bill of health for Tayla Harris, Blaithin Mackin, Jemma Rigoni, Saraid Taylor and Georgia Campbell, who are all expected to be available for Round 1.
Denby Taylor continues to work through a foot stress reaction, with an expected return of four-to-five weeks.
Grace Beasley (knee), Tahlia Gillard (knee) and Jacinta Hose (back) remain in their respective long-term rehab programs.
“Unfortunately, Jacinta suffered a high-grade ankle sprain during the match on Thursday night,” Keily said.
“She’ll remain in a boot for a period of time and then once she’s out of the boot, we can start to re-load her.
“While it’s disappointing that she could be sidelined for up to eight weeks, we’re hopeful she’ll return for some more footy in 2026.”
“Lauren has been flying through her rehab following her knee surgery and has been ticking off all her markers,” Keily said.
“She’ll look to complete a main training this week and if she gets through that session, she’ll be available for selection.”
“Aoife is tracking really well through her rehab of that ankle injury,” Keily said.
“She has integrated into modified training and will look to complete a full session at the end of this week.
“If she gets through this main session successfully, we’ll progress her through to match loads via the VFLW on Sunday.”
“Maeve has started to integrate into some training and change-of-direction skills,” Keily said.
“If all goes well over the next fortnight, she’ll be on track to return to footy in Round 3.”
“Maeve Chaplin (foot), Lauren Pearce (knee), Saraid Taylor (calf) and Jorja Livingstone (wrist) have all returned to running, which is a positive step forward in their rehab programs,” Keily said.
“We’ll look to ramp up Maeve, Lauren and Saraid’s rehab over the coming weeks, while Jorja will continue to focus on her running loads as she recovers from that wrist fracture.”
“Jorja has been moved out of her cast and into a wrist splint,” Keily said.
“While she’s in her splint, we’ll ramp up her running loads over the comings weeks before she returns to contact training.”
“It’s disappointing that Chloe won’t have the opportunity to play in her first AFLW season, but we want to make sure we set her up for success in the longer term,” Keily said.
“Chloe has taken a very mature approach to her rehabilitation and is determined to be fit and firing to attack next pre-season.”
“It’s shattering for Grace and also her teammates who have seen how hard she worked to get back to full fitness last year,” Gill said.
“We’ll put all our love and support around Grace through this difficult time as she prepares for surgery. We know she’ll attack her rehabilitation with the same determined attitude and energy she brings to the club every day.”
“Unfortunately, Jacinta suffered a high-grade ankle sprain during the match on Thursday night,” Keily said.
“She’ll remain in a boot for a period of time and then once she’s out of the boot, we can start to re-load her.
“While it’s disappointing that she could be sidelined for up to eight weeks, we’re hopeful she’ll return for some more footy in 2026.”
“Lauren has been flying through her rehab following her knee surgery and has been ticking off all her markers,” Keily said.
“She’ll look to complete a main training this week and if she gets through that session, she’ll be available for selection.”
“Aoife is tracking really well through her rehab of that ankle injury,” Keily said.
“She has integrated into modified training and will look to complete a full session at the end of this week.
“If she gets through this main session successfully, we’ll progress her through to match loads via the VFLW on Sunday.”
“Maeve has started to integrate into some training and change-of-direction skills,” Keily said.
“If all goes well over the next fortnight, she’ll be on track to return to footy in Round 3.”
“Maeve Chaplin (foot), Lauren Pearce (knee), Saraid Taylor (calf) and Jorja Livingstone (wrist) have all returned to running, which is a positive step forward in their rehab programs,” Keily said.
“We’ll look to ramp up Maeve, Lauren and Saraid’s rehab over the coming weeks, while Jorja will continue to focus on her running loads as she recovers from that wrist fracture.”
“Jorja has been moved out of her cast and into a wrist splint,” Keily said.
“While she’s in her splint, we’ll ramp up her running loads over the comings weeks before she returns to contact training.”
“It’s disappointing that Chloe won’t have the opportunity to play in her first AFLW season, but we want to make sure we set her up for success in the longer term,” Keily said.
“Chloe has taken a very mature approach to her rehabilitation and is determined to be fit and firing to attack next pre-season.”
“It’s shattering for Grace and also her teammates who have seen how hard she worked to get back to full fitness last year,” Gill said.
“We’ll put all our love and support around Grace through this difficult time as she prepares for surgery. We know she’ll attack her rehabilitation with the same determined attitude and energy she brings to the club every day.”
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