AFL injury update

Draftees Ben Cavarra and Laitham Vandermeer have sustained injury setbacks ahead of their debut AFL season.

Cavarra missed Sunday’s VFL practice match due to quad tightness, and is 2-3 weeks away from being available to play, while Vandermeer (4-6 weeks) will miss the start of the season with a hamstring injury.

However, the Bulldogs will have a relatively fit list to choose from heading into round one against the Sydney Swans next Saturday night.

Key forward Tom Boyd (lower back, 6-8 weeks) and running defender Jason Johannisen (ankle syndesmosis) are progressing well with their recovery, and on track to return in the early stages of the season.

Lukas Webb (neck, 3-5 weeks) and Bailey Dale (ankle, 2-3 weeks) are also set to return in the early stages of the season, as are Lin Jong (hamstring) and rookie Buku Khamis (posterior cruciate ligament) who sustained injuries in pre-season match simulation.