IT MIGHT not be their season's "narrative", but the fact remains the Magpies' mounting injury toll is the longest in the competition when looking at teams that can mathematically feature in September.

Coach Nathan Buckley was defiant in the face of Matt Scharenberg's latest knee injury on Saturday evening when he said his players would "find a way to respond positively" to the latest long-term complaint to strike down a teammate.

And, he backed it up on Wednesday when he declared "our injury status is not our narrative" in his regular spot on SEN.

But, the raw numbers are hard to ignore. Going into round 20, the Magpies have at least 16 players in their casualty ward (and we say "at least" because every club has players carrying ailments that are kept under wraps).

Some of them will play this week, some in the coming rounds.

There's five who definitely won't be seen again this season, which is a comparative number with clubs like Essendon and Port Adelaide when looking at players either definitely ruled out or listed as indefinite.

But the alarming figure is the number who still have question marks against their names, the significance of those players, and whether the Pies can in fact cover the contribution they are capable of making.

WINGED PIES – WHO WILL BE AVAILABLE AGAIN IN 2018?

FLYNN APPLEBY (hamstring) – Yes

Will potentially be available next week after a hamstring injury sustained in round 16 against Essendon.

TIM BROOMHEAD (broken leg) – No

Won't be seen again in 2018. Broke his leg in two places in a horror collision with the goalpost in round two and underwent season-ending surgery.

Broomhead suffered a horrific broken leg against Greater Western Sydney. Picture: AFL Photos





JORDAN DE GOEY (leg) – Maybe

Developed bone stress in his lower leg from a knock back in round 18. Has nursed the soreness since and the Pies maintain he could have kept playing, but the risks of further damage were too great. Will be reassessed next week, but the whispers that his injury is a little more serious than a two-weeker won't go away.

LYNDEN DUNN (knee) – No

Done for the year after a knee reconstruction following round 15. Will miss the rest of this season and a chunk of 2019.

JAMIE ELLIOTT (hamstring) – Looking unlikely

Re-injured his left hamstring at the end of Sunday's VFL game after a torrid season with injuries. Happened when he went to lay a tackle late in the game and his face told the story as he sat on the turf before dejectedly walking off. His status will be reassessed over the next week, but with four AFL and four VFL games – plus finals – to come and very little consecutive football under his belt, you'd have to say time is running out for Elliott in 2018 despite the Pies' stance his year hasn't been declared over just yet.

TYSON GOLDSACK (knee) – Maybe

Had his left knee reconstructed using a hamstring graft on March 22, meaning if he plays – as intended – in the VFL this weekend, he'll be looking at a return to the field in just over four months. His ligament was only partially torn in the incident in a pre-season game on March 10, but his recovery has still been remarkably quick. They won't play him unless they're sure the risk of recurrence is minimal, and the fact remains he'll be useful in an intended undersized key position role, but whether he'll be able to step up to AFL level after such a quick reintroduction remains to be seen.

Could Goldsack make an incredible return from an ACL injury? Picture: AFL Photos

JEREMY HOWE (concussion) – Yes

Was concussed in the loss to Richmond and will undergo concussion screening later in the week but is expected to play this week against Sydney, or in round 21 at the latest.

KAYLE KIRBY (heart issue) – No

Hasn't played since collapsing behind play in a VFL game in March. Was diagnosed with a heart condition, which has been monitored since. They'll know more this week with another report on his status due, but it seems unlikely he'll play this year.

CHRIS MAYNE (undefined injury) – Yes

Could be nothing, could be something. Spotted getting scans on Tuesday, despite running out the game against the Tigers uninhibited. Started the season with a quad issue and has had minor complaints throughout the year but doesn't appear to be carrying something season-threatening.

BRODY MIHOCEK (ankle) – Yes

Should play this week after tweaking an ankle against Richmond. Has trained lightly but is expected to be named after showing progress in the last 48 hours.

MATT SCHARENBERG (knee) – No

Done for the year. Awful scenes at the MCG on Saturday when the 22-year-old innocuously twisted his left knee and tore his anterior cruciate ligament. Will undergo a third reconstruction, second on his left, and miss up to 12 months.

Luckless Pie Scharenberg has torn his ACL three times. Picture: AFL Photos

BRAYDEN SIER (leg) – Yes

Should train this week and be available after corking his quad in round 17 against West Coast.

BEN REID (knees/calf) – Yes

Had knee scrapes on both knees at the start of July after a season ruined by injuries. Has recovered to the point of returning to full training, and if he gets through another week is expected to be available for selection in round 21, at AFL or VFL level. Will be a welcome addition to the side in the later rounds if his body holds up.

ADAM TRELOAR (hamstrings) – Unlikely

It's understood the midfielder still has a bit to do in his recovery from two hamstring injuries sustained at the same time in round 14; the left one requiring tendon surgery. His return scope remains 5-6 weeks, which would take him through to the first week of AFL finals as a best-case scenario. It's going to be come down to the wire with Treloar, and whether he'll have the match fitness to make an impact when he does get back.

DANIEL WELLS – No

Done for the year after suffering a Lisfranc foot fracture against Melbourne in round 12, which will delay his pre-season training start. However, his manager has indicated the 33-year-old wants to play on in 2019.

RUPERT WILLS – Yes

Is expected to be available after a hamstring injury next week.