Essendon will welcome back Matt Guelfi, Nik Cox and first-year defender Angus Clarke via the VFL this week.
Guelfi has recovered from hamstring surgery back in February, while Cox has overcome a recent minor calf complaint following a pre-season largely disrupted by concussion symptoms.
Clarke will join the pair when the Dons’ VFL outfit take on North Melbourne at Windy Hill on Friday afternoon, having recovered from a broken collarbone suffered at the end of March.
Midfielder Jye Caldwell has progressed back into full training after an early season hamstring strain and is eyeing off a return to play in next week’s clash with Sydney. Fellow midfielder Darcy Parish is also closing in on a return to play in the coming weeks.
Sam Draper, Nick Bryan and Tom Edwards are all now in the early stages of post-operative recovery, having each undergone successful surgeries following recent season-ending injuries.
| Player | Injury | Estimated Return |
|---|---|---|
5. Elijah Tsatas |
Hamstring |
1 week
Scans confirmed a hamstring strain for Tsatas following round 18. |
|
7. Zach Merrett |
Hand |
1 week
Merrett suffered a fracture in his hand against Geelong in round 22. |
|
6. Jye Caldwell |
Syndesmosis |
2 weeks
Caldwell will undergo surgery after a syndesmosis injury in round 17. |
|
14. Jordan Ridley |
Hamstring |
2 weeks
Ridley is recovering from a hamstring strain. |
|
26. Archie May |
Ankle |
2-3 weeks
May suffered an ankle injury against the Cats in round 22. |
|
30. Nate Caddy |
Groin |
TBC
Caddy will miss the round 23 clash with St Kilda due to a groin injury. |
|
32. Ben McKay |
Foot |
TBC
Ben McKay has a ruptured plantar plate in his foot. |
|
2. Sam Draper |
Achilles |
Season
Draper suffered a ruptured Achilles late in the round six win over West Coast. |
|
3. Darcy Parish |
Calf |
Season
Parish is recovering from a calf strain sustained at training. |
|
12. Will Setterfield |
Foot |
Season
Will Setterfield injured his foot against Richmond and will miss the remainder of 2025. |
|
13. Nik Cox |
Concussion |
Season
Cox suffered the effects of a concussion from his return to VFL. |
|
18. Lewis Hayes |
ACL |
Season
Hayes suffered an ACL injury during his debut game against Sydney in round nine. |
|
23. Harrison Jones |
Ankle |
Season
Jones dislocated his ankle in round eight. |
|
24. Nick Bryan |
ACL |
Season
Nick Bryan suffered an ACL tear in round five against Melbourne. |
|
31. Zach Reid |
Hamstring |
Season
Reid will undergo surgery on his hamstring, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. |
|
37. Nic Martin |
ACL |
Season
Martin tore his ACL in the round 18 clash against Richmond. |
|
45. Thomas Edwards |
ACL |
Season
Edwards has suffered a ruptured ACL and will miss the remainder of the season. |
5. Elijah Tsatas
Scans confirmed a hamstring strain for Tsatas following round 18.
7. Zach Merrett
Merrett suffered a fracture in his hand against Geelong in round 22.
6. Jye Caldwell
Caldwell will undergo surgery after a syndesmosis injury in round 17.
14. Jordan Ridley
Ridley is recovering from a hamstring strain.
26. Archie May
May suffered an ankle injury against the Cats in round 22.
30. Nate Caddy
Caddy will miss the round 23 clash with St Kilda due to a groin injury.
32. Ben McKay
Ben McKay has a ruptured plantar plate in his foot.
2. Sam Draper
Draper suffered a ruptured Achilles late in the round six win over West Coast.
3. Darcy Parish
Parish is recovering from a calf strain sustained at training.
12. Will Setterfield
Will Setterfield injured his foot against Richmond and will miss the remainder of 2025.
13. Nik Cox
Cox suffered the effects of a concussion from his return to VFL.
18. Lewis Hayes
Hayes suffered an ACL injury during his debut game against Sydney in round nine.
23. Harrison Jones
Jones dislocated his ankle in round eight.
24. Nick Bryan
Nick Bryan suffered an ACL tear in round five against Melbourne.
31. Zach Reid
Reid will undergo surgery on his hamstring, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
37. Nic Martin
Martin tore his ACL in the round 18 clash against Richmond.
45. Thomas Edwards
Edwards has suffered a ruptured ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.
Last Updated: 8:51 AM Tuesday, August 12, 2025
