AFL Preseason Marred by Key Player Injuries Across Multiple Teams

St Kilda's Mitch Owens and Sydney's Errol Gulden face extended absences following preseason injuries, raising player safety concerns.

St Kilda forward Mitch Owens suffered a shoulder injury during a preseason match against Port Adelaide, becoming the third AFL player this preseason injured after being pushed into a marking contest.
Sydney Swans star Errol Gulden fractured his ankle during a game against the Gold Coast Suns and is set to undergo surgery, with his return timeline to be determined post-operation.
Other notable preseason injuries include Brisbane's Brandon Starcevich (concussion) and Richmond's No. 1 draft pick Sam Lalor (fractured jaw and concussion), both caused by similar marking contest incidents.
St Kilda faces additional challenges with several key players, including Max King, Mattaes Phillipou, Rowan Marshall, and Jack Sinclair, dealing with injuries ahead of the season opener on March 16.
Port Adelaide emerged dominant against St Kilda in their preseason game, with standout performances from Connor Rozee and Jason Horne-Francis, despite also managing injuries to key players like Zak Butters.