CARLTON forwards Matthew Cottrell and Harry McKay have both required surgery after receiving specialist advice in recent days.

The Club had been exploring the best course of rehabilitation for Cottrell over the past fortnight and after further consultation, it was determined that surgery is needed this week to correct a navicular stress fracture, unfortunately sidelining the 25-year-old for the remainder of the 2025 season. 

We really feel for Matthew, he’s the definition of a team-first player who’s enjoyment in footy comes from playing his role for the team, which is what we all love about him,” Carlton General Manager of Football Brad Lloyd said.

“He’s an extremely resilient character, who will no doubt attack his rehab and continue to bring his infectious energy around the group over the coming months.”

McKay had been unable to increase his training loads over the last two weeks, leading to further consultation with a specialist late on Monday afternoon.

That consultation resulted in McKay undergoing a knee arthroscope today, with the key forward expected to return to play between Rounds 19 – 21.

“While a minor procedure isn’t ideal for Harry, it gives him the best opportunity to return to play in the back end of the season,” Lloyd said.

In other news, defender Nic Newman has been given the all-clear this week to begin integrating back into full training with the main group. This will be his focus over the next month, before it is determined whether he will be able to return to play late in the season. 

After being subbed out of Sunday’s win against West Coast as a precaution, Charlie Curnow has been progressing well and will aim to train fully later this week to be available to play against North Melbourne. 
 
Harry McKay (knee)
- Recovery phase
- Availability: Rounds 19 – 21
- Arthroscope completed on his knee, and will commence his rehab following initial recovery from the procedure
 
Matthew Cottrell (foot)
- Recovery phase
- Will miss the remainder of the 2025 season
- Has undergone surgery to correct a navicular stress fracture, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2025 season
  
Hudson O’Keeffe (hamstring)
- Modified program
- Availability: Rounds 18-19
- Scans have confirmed O’Keeffe experienced a low-grade hamstring strain in the third quarter of Sunday night’s win over West Coast.

Charlie Curnow (calf tightness)
- Full training
- Availability: Test
- Will aim to train fully this week to be available to play

Nic Newman (knee)
- Integrate into full training
- Availability: TBC
- Has progressed very well throughout his rehabilitation to now put himself in a position to begin training with the main group. That will be his focus over the next month before it is determined whether he will be able to return to play later in the season
 
Lachie Cowan (hamstring)
- Full training
- Availability: Test 
- Will aim to train this week to be available for selection 
 
Sam Walsh (foot)
- Modified program
- Availability: Rounds 19-20

Injury List

Player	Injury	Estimated Return
5. Adam Cerra	Hamstring	Round 3-4 (Update: 3 March) Modified program. Availability: Round 3-4 Expected to be available shortly after Round 2 bye. (Update: 13 March)
42. Adam Saad	Hamstring	Round 3-4 (Update: 10 March) Modified program. Availability: Round 3-4. Scans confirmed a minor hamstring strain: expected to be available to play shortly after the Round 2 bye. (Update: 10 March)
44. Francis Evans	Knee	Round 3-4 (Update: 10 March) Integrating into full training. Availability: Round 3-4. Will be given the extra fortnight to recover and is expected to be available shortly after the Round 2 bye. (Update: 10 March)
46. Matthew Cottrell	Knee	Round 3-4 (Update: 3 March) Integrating into full training. Availability: Round 3-4 Expected to be available shortly after Round 2 bye. (Update: 3 March)
35. Billy Wilson	Foot	TBD (Update: 3 March) Modified program. Availability: Timeline to be determined after Round 2 bye. Hot spot detected in recent weeks which is currently being managed: return-to-play timeline will be more accurately determined after Round 2 bye. (Update: 3 March)
22. Harry O'Farrell	Knee	TBC (Update: 3 March) Continuing to undergo rehabilitation from ACL injury sustained late in 2025. Availability: TBC. (Update: 3 March)
3. Jesse Motlop	Knee	Season (Update: 11 January) Ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in January. Availability: Season. (Update: 11 January)

5. Adam Cerra

Modified program. Availability: Round 3-4 Expected to be available shortly after Round 2 bye. (Update: 13 March)

Injury: Hamstring

Est. Return: Round 3-4 (Update: 3 March)

42. Adam Saad

Modified program. Availability: Round 3-4. Scans confirmed a minor hamstring strain: expected to be available to play shortly after the Round 2 bye. (Update: 10 March)

Injury: Hamstring

Est. Return: Round 3-4 (Update: 10 March)

44. Francis Evans

Integrating into full training. Availability: Round 3-4. Will be given the extra fortnight to recover and is expected to be available shortly after the Round 2 bye. (Update: 10 March)

Injury: Knee

Est. Return: Round 3-4 (Update: 10 March)

46. Matthew Cottrell

Integrating into full training. Availability: Round 3-4 Expected to be available shortly after Round 2 bye. (Update: 3 March)

Injury: Knee

Est. Return: Round 3-4 (Update: 3 March)

35. Billy Wilson

Modified program. Availability: Timeline to be determined after Round 2 bye. Hot spot detected in recent weeks which is currently being managed: return-to-play timeline will be more accurately determined after Round 2 bye. (Update: 3 March)

Injury: Foot

Est. Return: TBD (Update: 3 March)

22. Harry O'Farrell

Continuing to undergo rehabilitation from ACL injury sustained late in 2025. Availability: TBC. (Update: 3 March)

Injury: Knee

Est. Return: TBC (Update: 3 March)

3. Jesse Motlop

Ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in January. Availability: Season. (Update: 11 January)

Injury: Knee

Est. Return: Season (Update: 11 January)

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