While COVID's claws are still dug deep into the league, another crisis has been quietly shaping the landscape of the season.
Injuries have been rampant as players struggle to adapt to the changes placed on clubs.
In 2020 alone, interruptions to training and preparation brought nearly a 5% increase in injuries, including a whopping 73.7% rise for hamstrings.
Then over the off-season, new rules to speed up the game were brought in and quarter lengths were returned to normal. The changes have tested the fitness and durability of players and have resulted in an alarming number of casualties league wide.
Big cuts into each AFL clubs' soft cap have also had a dramatic effect with far fewer medical staff on hand to assist players.
Currently, 142 senior-listed players are on their clubs official injury list, which makes up 21.6% of all senior-listed players in the league. Additionally, nearly 10% of senior-listed players have injuries that will see them miss at least four weeks of footy.
When the league is missing so much of it's high-end talent, it hurts the spectacle of the game. And as injury numbers are set to only worsen as the season wears on, the impact on the competition cannot be overstated.
When you look at the AFL injury list, there can be no mistaking the strong correlation between the health of a playing list and their spot on the ladder.
Currently, five out of the six healthiest clubs in the league are sitting inside the top-8.
At the other end of the spectrum, underperforming sides in St. Kilda, North Melbourne and Collingwood have all had horror runs with injuries.
But despite the obvious challenges currently imposed on training staff, the stark differences in health between the best and worst sides surely must beg some questions.
In a win-dependant league, why doesn't a club's medical team share some of the same scrutiny that gets slapped onto senior coaches?
There seems to be a common misconception in sports that injuries are put down to luck.
Yes, luck can be an important factor for an athlete's health, but their prior conditioning and fitness also plays a major part.
It is no coincidence that the two most successful clubs of the last decade, Hawthorn and Richmond, are two of the best run clubs in the league. Access to the best staff and facilities goes a long way to ensure your key players are available in September.
But for clubs who are less fortunate; the problem compounds.
The road to glory was made much steeper for GWS who suffered constant losses to key players throughout their premiership window.
Embed from Getty ImagesEssendon were unable to get Joe Daniher's body right for three years whilst the club struggled on field, but since moving to Brisbane he hasn't missed a game.
Training standards not only reflect on-field performance but also in the medical room.
Is it time we paid injury lists more attention?
So as we head towards the home stretch of home-and-away season, which are the clubs who are dealing the best and the worst with injuries?
BEST
3rd - Sydney
Sydney will go into the bye with just the six players on the injury list, and with only youngster Braeden Campbell set to miss three or more weeks.
The Swans have been buoyed by the health of superstar Lance Franklin this season who has played consistent footy for the first time since 2018.
As Sam Reid has continued his struggle with injuries, he has been the only veteran at the Swans to miss large amounts of footy this year.
The young and energetic list has managed to avoid serious casualties so far and the club looks in good stead for a finals push.
2nd - MELBOURNE
The Demons will also go into the bye with a relatively healthy squad.
Melbourne only have five members from their senior playing group on the injury list, with only Adam Tomlinson out for the long-term.
Melbourne has managed to keep most of their best line-up on the park all year with 12 of their players taking the field in every game.
Tomlinson's ACL injury in round 7 has been the major sour point for the Demons. Losing the reliable defender continues to hurt the intercept marking ability of Jake Lever and Stephen May.
1st - GEELONG
The Cats look to be timing their run home beautifully.
With only four players on the injury list, including two likely to return this week, there is no healthier side in the AFL.
Even more impressive is when you compare this to their age profile. The Cats have 12 players aged over 30 and they're all available for selection.
Despite missing Patrick Dangerfield for most of the year, he is now set to join their run home towards September.
Geelong have been the best example of how the availability of your best 22 can affect your clubs fortune.
WORST
3rd - COLLINGWOOD
Collingwood have been crippled by injuries all season.
Currently ten of Collingwood's senior players are on the injury list, with at least four of those out for some time.
The losses of Taylor Adams and Jeremy Howe have created huge holes on field. Now with Darcy Moore out for the rest of the season, Robert Harvey will have an enormous task keeping this list on track.
2 - FREMANTLE
The casualties at Fremantle are slowly getting out of control with 12 players now on the injury list.
The Dockers' defence has been put under real pressure with Brennan Cox, Joey Hamling and Heath Chapman still some time from returning.
Alex Pearce's return last week was a welcome sight for Freo fans and the fitness of their skipper, Nat Fyfe, will be crucial as he races to recover from a dislocated shoulder.
Fremantle's push to make the eight is now made that much harder with nearly a third of their side unavailable.
1 - ST. KILDA
It is fair to say there is an injury crisis at St. Kilda.
13 of their senior listed players are listed an injured which leaves only 23 available for selection.
They will be without Jade Gresham, Jake Carlisle and Ben Paton for the remainder of the season, whilst a broken jaw to Hunter Clark will see him out for at least six weeks.
Embed from Getty ImagesDaniel Hannebery hasn't played all year and looks unlikely to get his body right. Co-captain Jarryn Geary has only played three games all season and now faces the possibility of undergoing shoulder surgery.
For all the scrutiny on St. Kilda's on-field performances this year, the alarming rate of injury must come under heavy review.
