Essendon will be without Peter Wright for the next 4-6 weeks after the key forward suffered a high-grade ankle ligament injury in Saturday’s VFL practice match against Collingwood.

The 28-year-old was sent for scans after an awkward landing in a marking contest during the second quarter, which confirmed strained ligaments in his left ankle, ruling him out for the start of the 2025 season. 

Midfielder Darcy Parish is building his running loads and progressing in his recovery from a niggling back complaint, with the former All-Australian aiming for a return in the early stages of the home-and-away season.

Defender Jayden Laverde will be unavailable for the next 2-3 weeks as he battles a persistent hip flexor complaint. 

Utility Nik Cox is now working back into non-contact, skills-based training after managing lingering symptoms from a concussion sustained back in December.

Matt Guelfi continues to rehab from last month’s hamstring surgery, while Alwyn Davey Jnr has also increased his running loads after undergoing surgery on his meniscus.

Essendon’s clash with Hawthorn kicks off from 7:40pm AEDT this Friday night at the MCG, broadcast live on Ch 7, FOX and Kayo.

Player Injury Estimated Return
33. Alwyn Davey Jnr

33. Alwyn Davey Jnr

Knee 1 week

Davey Jnr underwent surgery on his meniscus in pre-season, but is expected to be available very early in season 2025.

15. Jayden Laverde

15. Jayden Laverde

Hip flexor 2 weeks

Laverde is battling a hip flexor issue, aiming for a return early in the season.

3. Darcy Parish

3. Darcy Parish

Back 3 weeks

Parish continues to progress from a niggling back complaint over the pre-season.

35. Matt Guelfi

35. Matt Guelfi

Hamstring 8-9 weeks

Guelfi had surgery on his hamstring back in February, looking to be available in the second half of season 2025.

20. Peter Wright

20. Peter Wright

Ankle 4-6 weeks

Wright suffered a high-grade ankle injury in Saturday's VFL practice match, ruling him out for the start of the season.

13. Nik Cox

13. Nik Cox

Concussion TBC

Cox is managing lingering symptoms from a pre-season concussion sustained in December.

33. Alwyn Davey Jnr

33. Alwyn Davey Jnr

Davey Jnr underwent surgery on his meniscus in pre-season, but is expected to be available very early in season 2025.

Injury: Knee
Est. Return: 1 week
15. Jayden Laverde

15. Jayden Laverde

Laverde is battling a hip flexor issue, aiming for a return early in the season.

Injury: Hip flexor
Est. Return: 2 weeks
3. Darcy Parish

3. Darcy Parish

Parish continues to progress from a niggling back complaint over the pre-season.

Injury: Back
Est. Return: 3 weeks
35. Matt Guelfi

35. Matt Guelfi

Guelfi had surgery on his hamstring back in February, looking to be available in the second half of season 2025.

Injury: Hamstring
Est. Return: 8-9 weeks
20. Peter Wright

20. Peter Wright

Wright suffered a high-grade ankle injury in Saturday's VFL practice match, ruling him out for the start of the season.

Injury: Ankle
Est. Return: 4-6 weeks
13. Nik Cox

13. Nik Cox

Cox is managing lingering symptoms from a pre-season concussion sustained in December.

Injury: Concussion
Est. Return: TBC

Last Updated: