Bailey Smith is racing the clock to be fit for the start of the AFL season, with a calf complaint putting the Geelong superstar in doubt for Opening Round. It comes after Richmond confirmed Taj Hotton will be sidelined for up to four months, and North Melbourne’s George Wardlaw for at least three weeks in brutal pre-season developments for the respective clubs.

Geelong’s All-Australian star Smith suffered a low-grade calf injury during training with the Cats last week and has been ruled out of Wednesday night’s pre-season clash with Carlton. The Cats are confident it’s nothing serious for Smith and are optimistic the 25-year-old be available for their first fixture of the new season – the Opening Round clash with Gold Coast on Friday, March 6.

Richmond’s Taj Hotton (far left) has been ruled out for several months with a foot injury, while Geelong’s Bailey Smith (left of R image) is racing the clock to be fit for the new AFL season. Pic: Getty

“Bailey reported low-grade calf symptoms during training last Friday,” a statement from Geelong revealed. “His loading will be modified during training this week and we expect him to be available for Opening Round.”

Geelong teammate Gryan Miers is also under an injury cloud after hurting his thumb in pre-season training. The forward will miss the Cats’ pre-season game against Carlton and is considered a touch-and-go prospect for the Opening Round game against the Suns. Geelong are already missing Tyson Stengle, who took personal leave from the club over pre-season.

Tigers and Kangaroos also rocked by pre-season injuries

Richmond’s pre-season preparations have also been rocked by the news young gun Hotton will be out for up to four months after scans revealed bone stress in his foot. Big things are expected of the Tigers ace in 2026 after he missed the first half of last season recovering from an ACL rupture, and he was excellent in last week’s match simulation against Essendon, before pulling up sore.

Richmond’s Taj Hotton is set to be sidelined for up to four months after scans revealed bone stress in his foot. Pic: Getty

(Paul Kane via Getty Images)

“Taj will begin modified weight bearing across the next 10 days to two weeks, before starting a slow progression back into running,” Richmond high performance manager Ben Serpell said. “We anticipate that it will be approximately six to eight weeks before he is back running and possibly four months before he is available for selection.

“Taj has done some really strong conditioning over both the off-season and the pre-season, and we were really pleased with how he was placed for this season. We know his professionalism will continue across this rehabilitation phase, and we will support him through that.”

Meanwhile, North Melbourne’s Wardlaw will also miss the start of the new season after picking up a low-grade hamstring strain during last week’s simulation against the Demons. The Kangaroos are confident the midfielder will be able to return to action in the next three to four weeks.

“Scans confirmed a low-grade strain similar to the previous injury in the same area,” North Melbourne head of performance Kevin White said about Wardlaw on Tuesday. “He has presented really well… and will look to return to play in the next 3-4 weeks.”

North Melbourne’s George Wardlaw (centre) has a low-grade hamstring strain that will see him miss the start of the new AFL season. Pic: Getty

(Morgan Hancock via Getty Images)

with agencies