SKIPZ AFLW Injury Update: Bates to undergo surgery

Hawthorn skipper Emily Bates will undergo surgery to repair the sternoclavicular injury she sustained in Round 7.

High Performance Manager Aaron Kellett outlined the expected recovery timeline for Bates, plus the progress on Najwa Allen from a hamstring injury as she eyes off a return to training next week.

He also provided an update on Bridie Hipwell and Ainslie Kemp on their respective recoveries.

Najwa Allen (Hamstring) – 3 weeks

“Really well, she’s progressing well. She’s resumed sprinting this week without issue, she’ll start to filter into some modified training and into the full training group next week. At this stage she’s three weeks away from availability for AFLW, but we’ll probably look to include her as part of the scrimmage in two weeks’ time as part of her return to play. So tracking well at this stage.”

Emily Bates (SC Joint) – TBC

“Emily is due for surgery to repair that sternoclavicular joint. Obviously, we want to see how she pulls up from surgery and there’s still a lot to play out from a season perspective, so we’re not in a position to definitively give a timeline at this point. We’ll update as soon as we can but we’re certainly as a program not preparing to have Emily available for the remainder of the home and away season.”

Bridie Hipwell (Leg) – Season

“Recovering really well. So Bridie’s out of the boot now, she’s partially weight-bearing on crutches and has resumed her gym work and she has a surgeon’s review tomorrow, pending clearance there she’ll be able to hit the pool as well. So we’re back into work with Bridie which is great.”

Ainslie Kemp (Knee) – Season

“Kemp is also into her return to play, into her gym work, regaining her range of motion, regaining some of her strength markers. Again, it’s great to see Kempy in the environment and back into her work.”

Watch the full Round 9 Injury Update below.

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Player	Injury	Estimated Return
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Lucy Wales of the Hawks warms up ahead of the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Lucy Wales of the Hawks warms up ahead of the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Jasmine Fleming and Poppy Stockwell of the Hawks embrace ahead of the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Jasmine Fleming of the Hawks warms up ahead of the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Niamh Martin of the Hawks warms up ahead of the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Jasmine Fleming and Jenna Richardson of the Hawks pose ahead of the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Jenna Richardson of the Hawks warms up ahead of the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Lucy Wales of the Hawks warms up ahead of the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Aine McDonagh of the Hawks warms up ahead of the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Jacqueline Dupuy of the Hawks warms up ahead of the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Jacqueline Dupuy of the Hawks warms up ahead of the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Mackenzie Eardley of the Hawks warms up ahead of the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Jasmine Fleming of the Hawks warms up ahead of the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Casey Sherriff of the Hawks handballs during the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Casey Sherriff of the Hawks handballs during the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Jacqueline Dupuy of the Hawks celebrates kicking a goal during the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Jacqueline Dupuy of the Hawks celebrates kicking a goal during the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Greta Bodey of the Hawks leads out her team during the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Jacqueline Dupuy of the Hawks is congratulated by Jasmine Fleming after kicking a goal during the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 First Semi Final - Carlton v Hawthorn		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Jacqueline Dupuy of the Hawks celebrates kicking a goal during the AFLW First Semi Final match between Carlton Blues and Hawthorn Hawks at Ikon Park, on November 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)