But for sides like the Brisbane Lions, who boast such young lists, losing experienced personnel can have a considerably greater impact.
So imagine the challenge facing the Lions as they approach their Round 17 match against West Coast with eight of the Club’s most experienced players unavailable for selection due to injury.
You can make that nine if Tom Rockliff decides to accept the one-match sanction offered to him by the AFL Match Review Panel last night.
Of the team’s 15 most experienced players, only Ash McGrath (210 games), Jed Adcock (178), Joel Patfull (175), Daniel Merrett (164), Matt Maguire (162), Andrew Raines (123) are currently available to play.
Brent Moloney (Achilles) and Matthew Leuenberger (Achilles) are the latest additions to the Club’s injury list, which already includes Brent Staker, Daniel Rich, Jack Redden, Luke McGuane and James Polkinghorne – not to mention Jonathan Brown who has already been forced into a mid-season retirement.
Trent West (knee), Patrick Wearden (quad) and Tom Cutler (groin) round out the casualty list.
The Lions’ injury list (including Brown) actually combines for 1,155 games of senior AFL experience.
If Rockliff’s suspension is upheld, then that figure balloons out to 1,251.
See the Lions' updated injury at the Bupa Health Centre
