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Brisbane provides major update on midfielder, Collingwood duo in race for recall as Hawk presses case: AFL injury news
Brisbane is still holding out hope for one of their champion players to return from injury, if they progress to their third consecutive grand final.
At Collingwood, Thursday’s main training session will determine a pair of stars’ availabilities for this weekend’s contests.
Here’s all the latest injury news in week three of the 2025 AFL Finals.
Cat ruck a whisker away
Geelong could recall ruckman Rhys Stanley for Friday night’s preliminary final against Hawthorn, rehabilitating a hamstring injury.
Stanley could be brought in to combat Lloyd Meek, whilst also freeing up Sam De Koning and Mark Blicavs, who were used in conjunction with Shannon Neale to take on Darcy Fort two weeks ago.
“Rhys has reintegrated into training over the past week. We will continue to assess his progress over the next two days and expect to have a clearer indication of his availability as the week unfolds,” EGM of Football Andrew Mackie
Dear closes on GF return
Hawthorn youngster Calsher Dear will be given every chance to put his hand up for selection if the club makes the grand final.
Dear injured his hamstring in the elimination final win over GWS, but has been given a one-week estimated return.
“Calsher is making progress and running at 60 per cent. He will continue to progress his speed over the week with the aim to be moving freely closer to top speed over the weekend. Being a young athlete who has not had this type of injury before, we’ll be cautious, but at this stage, it is looking more like next week that he may be able to rejoin the group, providing the progressions this week go to plan,” Hawthorn High Performance Manager Peter Burge said.
Mitch Lewis replaced Dear for last week’s semi-final victory, and will likely retain his spot for the Geelong preliminary final.
Neale’s injury status altered
Brisbane isn’t giving up hope on Lachie Neale’s potential return, despite injuring his calf in the qualifying final loss to Geelong.
The Lions had previously ruled out Neale for the remainder of the season, but in recent days, mainly due to the two-time Brownlow medallist’s never-give-up attitude, that narrative has ever-so-slightly changed.
The midfielder won’t be available for selection this weekend against Collingwood, but will be assessed if they progress through to their third consecutive grand final.
Elsewhere, key forward Eric Hipwood has started his rehabilitation following knee surgery last week.
Pie veteran in line for miraculous return
Collingwood could welcome back Jeremy Howe for the club’s preliminary final clash against Brisbane on Saturday as he works his way back from an adductor injury.
Howe has been subbed out in the past four games he’s started in, with concussion and leg concerns the main drivers for the decision.
However, the Pies have managed him carefully since his last game in Round 24, with the extra week off following the qualifying final win over Adelaide helping his cause.
Howe will be given the week to prove his fitness, with Thursday’s main session likely to determine his availability.
Small forward Bobby Hill is also a watch given he’s spent the bulk of the last three months away from the club, albeit the past fortnight he has impressed on the track.
No fairytale for Punky
Hawthorn legend and gun small forward Luke Breust’s magnificent career came to a close after a shocking leg injury in last week’s VFL preliminary final against the Footscray Bulldogs.
Breust previously announced the 2025 season would be his last, and has spent the past few weeks on the reserves side, whilst also pushing for a senior spot.
However,ย the outcome of the injury was a severe tear to the MCL and ACL, ultimately putting an end to his glittering career.
“Despite the abrupt and unfortunate ending, Luke should be enormously proud of committing himself completely across his incredible career, on and off the field, right up until his final moment,” Hawks EGM of Football Rob McCartney said.
