As we move into late summer and early autumn, many athletes are shifting gears toward pre-season training for AFL and NRL. This is a phase where training volume, speed work, and (for contact sports) tackling gradually increase. From a physio’s perspective, this period isn’t something to fear — but it does benefit from smart preparation and good load management.

Across both Australian football and rugby league, injury surveillance data shows that the most common issues are muscle strains, joint sprains, and impact-related injuries, rather than sudden or severe injuries. Read more