Cruel injuries in pre-season and early on in the year saw many players sidelined for the majority, if not the entirety, of the 2024 AFL season.
However, with rehabilitation and recovery near completion for many, the 2025 season is a chance to remind fans of their presence at the club and demonstrate why they can be a major contributor to their team's campaign.
Injury-riddled defender Wayne Milera was ruled out for the remainder of the 2024 season after rupturing the patella tendon in his right knee against Fremantle in Round 3. The 27-year-old has had three injury-interrupted seasons since 2020, but when healthy is a consistent member of the Crows side.
The Lions premiership defence is set to be boosted with the return of Tom Doedee and Keidean Coleman, who both spent the year recovering from ACL tears. Doedee has yet to play a game for the Lions since being traded from Adelaide in 2023 but has the potential to reach the heights of his 2021 and 2022 seasons, given he remains healthy. Coleman uncovered the unfortunate news of his injury in Opening Round this year and was viewed as a massive blow to the Lions' premiership hopes after a breakout 2023 season and grand final performance.
The Lions will also benefit from the availability of experienced pair Lincoln McCarthy and Darcy Gardiner, who, like Coleman and Doedee, tore their ACL during the year.
Whilst Sam Docherty made an inspiring return for the Blues' elimination final, the Carlton veteran will be hopeful of making an impact across an entire season in 2025. At 31 years of age, there's still life in Docherty's career yet, after averaging over 25 disposals a game just a season ago.
Fellow Blue Jack Silvagni will also be eyeing a return from the common theme of an ACL injury in 2025. Rupturing the ligament in January, Silvagni will be close to making a full recovery and will be a shout to return immediately in Round 1.
Magpie Tom Mitchell played just six games in 2024, his latest in just Round 7 meant he missed over two-thirds of the year. The 2018 Brownlow medallist was a key member of the 2023 premiership side, playing in all 26 games, and with a strong pre-season, Mitchell may be back to his accumulative best in 2025.
Essendon key defender Zach Reid failed to make a splash in the ocean in the season gone by despite the hype around his return. The injury-riddled former top-10 pick has played eight games since being drafted in 2020 and will be a welcome inclusion if he can get his body right.
Cameron Guthrie will be after a consistent season as he aims to persevere from his mid-season Achilles injury and his out-of-favour position in the side. Guthrie played just four games in Geelong colours this year before his untimely Achilles injury against the Suns. Before that, Guthrie overcame a complex foot injury that limited him to just six appearances in 2023. The 32-year-old had the opportunity to come into Geelong's side for finals but was ultimately left out, playing a singular VFL final to round out his season.
Glandular fever and a frustrating calf concern limited 2023 Pick 8 Phoenix Gothard to the VFL this year, with last year's draft bolter unable to break through for an AFL debut. With another pre-season and an injury-free run, watch for Gothard to show why he was deserving of an early selection at last year's draft.
Hawthorn key defender James Blanck is back in the fold as his ACL recovery continues to progress smoothly. Blanck played a career-high 15 games in 2023 and was anticipated to vy with Sam Frost for a spot in the backline in 2024 before his injury occurred. Now, with a backline stacked full of talent, whether the 24-year-old can crack into the side will be a curious watch in 2025.
Another Hawk anticipating a return is key forward Mitchell Lewis. Lewis is widely viewed as Hawthorn's most talented forward, averaging nearly 2.5 goals per game in 2022 and 2023. A cruel ACL blow in his comeback match from another knee issue limited the goalkicker to just four games in 2024, and while his return won't be until the second half of 2025, expect him to be influential if Hawthorn is pushing for another finals campaign.
Demon Charlie Spargo played in just Opening Round before a severe Achilles injury ruled him out for the entirety of 2024. The premiership Demon may provide added spark to Melbourne's forward line, which struggled to score freely in 2024. Melbourne ranked 14th in the AFL for points scored, their worst effort since they finished second-last in 2019.
After spending the majority of 2024 on the sidelines, Kangaroo Griffin Logue found his way back into the side for Rounds 19 and 20 before a wrist injury forced him out of the team again. Traded from Fremantle in 2022, Logue had a solid first year in blue and white stripes, and his re-inclusion could add stability around Charlie Comben and North Melbourne's developing backline.
Sam Powell-Pepper managed just three games in 2024 following an ACL tear in Round 7 against St Kilda. A high-pressure forward capable of captivating bursts with the football, Powell-Pepper will add more danger and excitement to the Power's forward line in 2025 as Port Adelaide looks to improve on their preliminary final exit.
After suffering an ACL rupture in his second game back from a year of persistent hamstring concerns, Josh Gibcus managed just two games in 2024. One of Richmond's exciting young prospects, Gibcus won Richmond's best first-year player award in 2022 after 18 games in his debut season. A top-ten pick, Gibcus has the capacity to have a breakout year in 2025 and aid the youthful Tigers if he can remain healthy following his ACL recovery.
Additionally, Judson Clarke and Tylar Young are other young Tigers expected to return to regular football in 2025 after being condemned to ACL tears, while experienced key forward Tom Lynch will be a sight for sore eyes.
Eagle Elijah Hewett was an AFL Rising Star nominee in 2023, but foot surgery restricted Hewett from seeing any AFL minutes in 2024. The bold midfielder-forward can burst out of the contest and hit the scoreboard, adding an attacking boost to the Eagles lineup in 2025. While Harley Reid took all the spotlight in 2024, expect Hewett to be a youngster to keep an eye on next year.
