Injuries are an inevitable part of any sport, but when they strike key players, it can send shockwaves through the entire team. And that’s exactly what’s happening at Melbourne right now. Demons skipper Max Gawn has fractured his finger during a recent training session, forcing him to join the rehab group for the next few weeks. But here’s the silver lining: the club remains optimistic that this setback won’t derail his plans for the AAMI AFL Origin match. Gawn will sport a splint for three weeks, but footy boss Alan Richardson assures fans that he’ll stay in shape. 'He’ll keep running and maintain his fitness, so his readiness for the Origin match isn’t in doubt,' Richardson explained.
But Gawn isn’t the only Demon dealing with injury woes. And this is the part most people miss—the depth of the team’s injury list. Veteran ruck Tom Campbell is also on the sidelines after an awkward training collision left him with a torn neck ligament. At 34, Campbell will spend the next month in a neck brace and consult a neurosurgeon to chart his recovery. Meanwhile, Harry Sharp’s hamstring injury is expected to heal in time for him to rejoin full training soon, and Jack Viney is making steady progress with his Achilles issue. 'Jack’s been managing that soreness really well, and it’s great to see him taking positive steps in his rehab,' Richardson added.
Young midfielder Bailey Laurie faced surgery for a hand fracture, but the club is hopeful he’ll return to the main group within weeks. His comeback hinges on how quickly his hand heals. Jack Henderson, dealing with a sacrum stress fracture since pre-season, is on track to resume full training by late February. Unfortunately, premiership defender Jake Bowey won’t be kicking off the 2026 season due to a long-term foot injury sustained in December. He’s just starting his rehab journey.
Several other players are also working their way back to fitness. Draftee Tom Matthews (meniscus), ex-Pie Brody Mihocek (toe), forward Shane McAdam (Achilles), and NGA product Andy Moniz-Wakefield (knee) are all progressing through their rehab programs. But here’s where it gets controversial—how will these injuries impact Melbourne’s season opener against St Kilda on March 15? With so many key players sidelined, even temporarily, the team’s depth will be tested early. Can the Demons rise above these challenges, or will injuries leave them scrambling? What do you think—will Melbourne’s injury-riddled start spell trouble, or do they have the resilience to overcome it? Let us know in the comments!
