MELBOURNE draftee Chloe Baker-West has been ruled out of the 2026 NAB AFLW season as the club continues to take a conservative approach to her recovery from a stress injury in her leg.
The club’s AFLW High Performance Manager Josh Keily provided an update on the Demon on Tuesday.
“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.”
Baker-West will now be placed on the club’s inactive list for the 2026 season.
In disappointing news for Jorja Livingstone, the new Demon has been sidelined with a wrist fracture.
“Unfortunately, Jorja will have a delayed start to her career as a Demon after fracturing her wrist against Port Adelaide,” Keily said.
“The injury didn’t require surgery and a timeframe for her recovery will be determined after further assessment this week.”
In positive news for Demon duo Georgia Campbell and Tayla Harris, the two will be available for Round 1 after making successful returns from injury.
“Georgia made a successful return from off-season shoulder surgery in the club’s match simulation against Essendon last Friday,” Keily said.
“Tayla also played her first match minutes on Friday after recovering from a calf strain.
“It was great to see them return, with both now available for our upcoming Round 1 match.”
Similarly, Ryleigh Wotherspoon will look to be available for the team’s season-opener after being sidelined with a shoulder concern.
“Ryleigh has recovered from a minor shoulder injury which she sustained in our practice match against Richmond,” Keily said.
“She’ll now be available for selection in Round 1.”
Eliza McNamara will look to be available for the Round 1, after being sidelined with a corked quad.
“Eliza was ruled out of our matches against Port Adelaide and Essendon after suffering a cork to her quad,” Keily said.
“She’s tracking well and will be available for our Round 1 match.”
After suffering a minor knee injury during the club’s practice match against Richmond, Laela Ebert is eyeing off a return to play in Round 1.
“Laela is building up her loads following that knee injury and will need to pass a fitness in the coming week to be available for the season-opener,” Keily said.
Sinead Goldrick will also need to prove her fitness after working through a knee injury.
“We were aiming for Sinead to play some minutes in the Australia v Ireland match but she was unfortunately not medically cleared to return for that game,” Keily said.
“She’s tracking well through her rehab, with the hopes to be available for Round 1.”
Georgia Gall is currently progressing through concussion protocols.
“Georgia suffered a concussion following a head knock in our practice game against Port Adelaide,” Keily said.
“She continues to progress through the concussion protocols.”
Saraid Taylor will miss the opening rounds of the season after sustaining a calf injury.
“Saraid unfortunately suffered a low-grade calf strain prior to our practice match with Port Adelaide,” Keily said.
“She’s now started working through her rehab program.”
Maeve Chaplin, who sustained a foot injury in the club’s practice match with Geelong, is moving closer towards a return to play in the next month.
“Maeve is tracking well through her rehab of that foot injury,” Keily said.
“She’s moved out of a boot and has started lower body strength work with the aim to begin running next week.”
Lauren Pearce is also progressing well following knee surgery two weeks ago.
“Lauren is progressing well and we’ll look to ramp up her rehab in the coming fortnight,” Keily said.
Aoife Horisk continues to make progress through her rehab following ankle surgery.
“Aoife has returned to running and is now focusing on building her loads,” Keily said.
“We’re hoping to get her back into some training soon.”
Melbourne will open its 2026 NAB AFLW season on Thursday 13th August at IKON Park.
Injury List
| Player | Injury | Estimated Return |
|---|---|---|
22. Eliza McNamara |
Quad |
Available
“Eliza was ruled out of our matches against Port Adelaide and Essendon after suffering a cork to her quad,” Keily said. “She’s tracking well and we’re doing all we can to make sure that she’s right for Round 1.” Read Article |
|
12. Ryleigh Wotherspoon |
Shoulder |
Available
“Ryleigh has recovered from a minor shoulder injury which she sustained in our practice match against Richmond,” Keily said. “She’ll now be available for selection in Round 1.” |
|
19. Laela Ebert |
Knee |
Test
“Laela is building up her loads following that knee injury and will need to pass a fitness in the coming week to be available for the season-opener,” Keily said. |
|
23. Sinéad Goldrick |
Knee |
Test
“We were aiming for Sinead to play some minutes in the Australia v Ireland match but she was unfortunately not medically cleared to return for that game,” Keily said. “She’s tracking well through her rehab, with the hopes to be available for Round 1.” Read Article |
|
9. Georgia Gall |
Concussion |
Protocols
“Georgia suffered a concussion following a head knock in our practice game against Port Adelaide,” Keily said. “She continues to progress through the concussion protocols.” |
|
13. Maeve Chaplin |
Foot |
3 - 4 weeks
“Maeve is tracking well through her rehab of that foot injury,” Keily said. “She’s moved out of a boot and has started lower body strength work with the aim to begin running next week.” |
|
15. Lauren Pearce |
Knee |
3 - 4 weeks
“Lauren is progressing well and we’ll look to ramp up her rehab in the coming fortnight,” Keily said. Read Article |
|
33. Aoife Horisk |
Ankle |
3 - 4 weeks
“Aoife has returned to running and is now focusing on building her loads,” Keily said. “We’re hoping to get her back into some training soon.” |
|
28. Saraid Taylor |
Calf |
3 - 4 weeks
“Saraid unfortunately suffered a low-grade calf strain prior to our practice match with Port Adelaide,” Keily said. “She’s now started working through her rehab program.” Read Article |
|
Jorja Livingstone |
Wrist |
TBC
“Unfortunately, Jorja will have a delayed start to her career as a Demon after fracturing her wrist against Port Adelaide,” Keily said. “The injury didn’t require surgery and a timeframe for her recovery will be determined after further assessment this week.” |
|
18. Chloe Baker-West |
Leg |
Season
“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.” |
|
16. Grace Beasley |
Knee |
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.” Read Article |
22. Eliza McNamara
“Eliza was ruled out of our matches against Port Adelaide and Essendon after suffering a cork to her quad,” Keily said. “She’s tracking well and we’re doing all we can to make sure that she’s right for Round 1.”
Read Article
12. Ryleigh Wotherspoon
“Ryleigh has recovered from a minor shoulder injury which she sustained in our practice match against Richmond,” Keily said. “She’ll now be available for selection in Round 1.”
19. Laela Ebert
“Laela is building up her loads following that knee injury and will need to pass a fitness in the coming week to be available for the season-opener,” Keily said.
23. Sinéad Goldrick
“We were aiming for Sinead to play some minutes in the Australia v Ireland match but she was unfortunately not medically cleared to return for that game,” Keily said. “She’s tracking well through her rehab, with the hopes to be available for Round 1.”
Read Article
9. Georgia Gall
“Georgia suffered a concussion following a head knock in our practice game against Port Adelaide,” Keily said. “She continues to progress through the concussion protocols.”
13. Maeve Chaplin
“Maeve is tracking well through her rehab of that foot injury,” Keily said. “She’s moved out of a boot and has started lower body strength work with the aim to begin running next week.”
15. Lauren Pearce
“Lauren is progressing well and we’ll look to ramp up her rehab in the coming fortnight,” Keily said.
Read Article
33. Aoife Horisk
“Aoife has returned to running and is now focusing on building her loads,” Keily said. “We’re hoping to get her back into some training soon.”
28. Saraid Taylor
“Saraid unfortunately suffered a low-grade calf strain prior to our practice match with Port Adelaide,” Keily said. “She’s now started working through her rehab program.”
Read Article
Jorja Livingstone
“Unfortunately, Jorja will have a delayed start to her career as a Demon after fracturing her wrist against Port Adelaide,” Keily said. “The injury didn’t require surgery and a timeframe for her recovery will be determined after further assessment this week.”
18. Chloe Baker-West
“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.”
16. Grace Beasley
“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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