AFL LIVE: Hawks hold edge over resurgent Dees, as Blues release McGovern injury update

Carlton defender Mitch McGovern has been cleared of any structural damage after a brutal Friday night at the MCG left the victorious Blues licking their wounds.

McGovern copped a heavy knock to the chest-throat area in an opening-term collision with St Kilda’s Liam O’Conell that saw him subbed out of the game at quarter-time and taken to hospital for scans.

Images of McGovern, 30, in the Carlton rooms before he was loaded into an ambulance showed him in pain and labouring for breath.

But the relieved Blues said on Saturday morning that the scans had come back clear of any breaks.

They said McGovern would be further assessed during the week ahead of their Friday night clash against Sydney at the SCG.

The defender was one of four players injured in Carlton’s 11.11 (77) to 9.8 (62) victory.

Blake Acres played out the match after dislocating a shoulder, Nick Haynes copped a boot to the neck in what was initially feared to be a head knock, while Lachie Cowan had hamstring soreness.

Carlton were unable to release any further updates on Acres, Haynes and Cowan on Saturday.

“It was a pretty frantic moment as I was down the race and I saw Lachie Cowen getting treatment and [Mitch] McGovern getting in the ambulance – it was crazy at that time,” Acres said.

“If you scanned my shoulders before the game, it would have shown you they were pretty banged up already after 10-plus years playing footy. I strapped it up and got back out there.

“I don’t like missing games of footy, so we will see how it goes. I had to play with this one [motions to left shoulder] a couple of years ago, we will see how the shoulder pulls up in the morning.”

Game 1 – Melbourne v Hawthorn, MCG, 1.20pm

In a nutshell: Huge game for the Demons, who are 3-5 for the season and need to get closer to squaring the ledger. The 6-2 Hawks rediscovered their potency last week by thumping Richmond. All eyes will be on Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver who returns to the line-up after a week’s rest and a swirl of speculation about his future. He is joined by Jacob van Rooyen and Matthew Jefferson, while the Demons have managed Jake Melsham and lost Jack Viney and Harrison Petty to injury. The Hawks have managed big defender Tom Barrass, and brought in Karl Amon. Expecting Sam Mitchell’s mob to pull away after a tight first half.

Game 2 – Essendon v Sydney Swans, Marvel Stadium, 4.15pm

In a nutshell: Crucial clash for both teams. When are they not crucial? The Bombers sit 12th at 4-3, while the Swans are 14th at 3-5. The Swans emerged victorious in their previous encounter at Marvel Stadium, 98 to 59, in August last year, so hold no fears for the away venue. They lose Lewis Melican to suspension after last week’s big win over GWS, while bringing in Ben Paton. The Bombers are coming off an unconvincing three-point win over North and lose Jordan Ridley, Jade Gresham and Harrison Jones to injury. They also dropped Jye Menzie and Elijah Tsatas. Their five inclusions are Jye Caldwell, Dylan Shiel, Lewis Hayes, Archer Day-Wicks and Saad El-Hawli. This looks like a Swans win.

Game 3 – Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs, Tio Stadium, Darwin, 7.35pm

In a nutshell: The Suns have turned Darwin into a home-ground fortress. They have a 6-2 record at the Top End where the ball can become slippery and the conditions tough to handle because of the humidity. They are also sitting fourth at 5-2 for the year. Competitive forward Ben Long is an important inclusion. The sixth-placed Bulldogs have won their past three and are sitting 5-3 for the season. They have lost Adam Treloar to injury and dropped Jedd Busslinger, while bringing in Harvey Gallagher and Caleb Poulter. Expect the Suns to go 7-2 in the NT.

Game 4 – Port Adelaide v Adelaide, Adelaide Oval, 8.10pm

In a nutshell: The build up to this normally fierce rivalry has been overshadowed by Willie Rioli’s suspension, but you can rest assured both teams will be switched on for The Showdown. Adelaide hold the form edge, coming off a big win over Carlton and sitting fifth at 5-3 for the year. Port have been inconsistent, sitting 13th at 4-4. They dropped four and lost Rioli after last week’s thumping at the hands of the Bulldogs – Will Lorenz, Jordon Sweet, Logan Evans and Joe Berry. But their inclusions hardly scream match winners – Dante Visenti, Josh Sinn, Christian Moraes, Jed McEntee and Ryan Burton. Too many might unsettle Port, giving the Crows a distinct advantage.