The Demons will be sweating on scans for star Clayton Oliver, who grabbed at his hamstring during the loss to Port Adelaide.
Plus why Tiger Jack Riewoldt is playing through pain, and West Coast’s woes continue to roll on.
The latest AFL Casualty Ward heading into Round 11.
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MELBOURNE star Clayton Oliver has been sent for scans on his injured hamstring.
Oliver was seen grabbing at his leg during the loss to Port Adelaide, but managed to play out the game.
“Clayton Oliver could be sidelined for up to a month in a development that would impact Brownlow voting and the Demons’ top four charge,” Jon Ralph reported.
7NEWS reporter Mitch Cleary said Oliver appeared “proppy” when the team landed back in Melbourne.
“He played out the game … flew home and looked a little proppy,” he said.
“He went straight to scans after arriving back in Melbourne.
“The Demons are fearing it’s a hamstring strain.
“They’ll know more in 48 hours.”
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WESTERN BULLDOG Jason Johannisen has suffered a big setback, as he was ruled out for at least eight weeks with a hamstring issue.
Johannisen suffered the blow in the win over Adelaide, and while he won’t require surgery, will be missing until late in the season.
The utility remained upbeat when he spoke to media.
“I’m always a glass half full kind of guy. Things can be a lot worse,” he told 7NEWS.
“We’ve got teammates who haven’t played all year.”
Skipper Marcus Bontempelli appears to dodged a knee injury after limping off during the clash with the Crows.
But fellow mid Adam Treloar is looking “less likely” to face the Gold Coast, according to Jon Ralph.
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RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has conceded veteran Jack Riewoldt needs a rest but is playing through pain for the team.
Riewoldt appeared hampered at times in the thrilling Dreamtime loss to Essendon.
Hardwick said the veteran was being “tough” and opting to play for the team that is already without fellow key forward Tom Lynch – who was still in a moon boot in the rooms last weekend.
“We’ve got Jack who is battling his backside off to be perfectly honest,” Riewoldt said.
“And to be honest, he probably shouldn’t be playing.
“At the moment, he’s incredibly sore and he’s just tough.
“He’s putting his hand up to play because I need him.”
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ADELAIDE has confirmed Mitch Hinge has entered the concussion protocol following the loss to the Western Bulldogs.
Hinge will miss the Crows’ big clash with Brisbane this Sunday.
“Mitch Hinge was subbed out of the game after a contest in the first quarter. He has entered the concussion protocol and will be assessed during the week,” the club said in a statement.
WEST COAST are set to add another name to the lengthy injury list with Jamaine Jones subbed out in the shock 116-point loss to Hawthorn.
“I’m not sure how bad, but not good enough to come back on,” coach Adam Simpson said post-match.
He was also unclear on the issue that saw Liam Duggan finish the match on the bench.
“He’s got a knock to his neck or something; he didn’t play the last 10 minutes,” he said.
The Eagles are already down to just 26 fit players, but are likely to regain Luke Edwards and Tom Barrass who missed the embarrassing loss due to illness.
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ST KILDA will take a cautious approach with young forward Mitch Owens after his devastating head knock that left him lying motionless on the GIANTS Stadium turf.
Owens slipped in a marking contest and stumbled forward, with teammate Anthony Caminiti’s knee making contact with his temple.
In positive signs, Owens was able to rejoin teammates on the bench for the second half.
Saints coach Ross Lyon said they would take every precaution with Owens’ return to action.
“He’ll miss Hawthorn, get the bye and hopefully he’ll be OK,” Lyon said.
“It was a big knee to the head as he slipped.
“It could have been worse – at least it didn’t get him frontal.
“Hopefully three weeks and we’ll play him.
“But we’ll take no risks with a pretty special young player we’ve got.”
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GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY were forced to play a man down for the entire second half after losing both Nick Haynes and Harry Himmelberg to concussion.
Haynes copped a knock to the head in a marking contest in the first term but remained on the field.
He was later taken for a concussion test, which he failed.
“Nick continued on after that incident and got to quarter time and wasn’t subbed out until four minutes into the second quarter,” Fox Footy’s Alastair Lynch said.
“Doctors do assess the vision.
“The AFL have observers at the ground who do assess contests like that.”
Himmelberg was injured in a bout of friendly fire and taken straight from the ground.
He failed his concussion test at half time and did not return to the field.
“They seem fine in the rooms, but clearly since they were ruled out they’ll miss next week’s game in Geelong,” coach Adam Kingsley said post-match.
“I imagine both will be fine the following week.”
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Kingsley also played down skipper Toby Greene’s injury scare after he came from the field clutching at his shoulder.
Greene was since wincing as medical staff pushed and prodded on the boundary, but played out the match.
“He’s fine, he just got a whack in the chest,” Kingsley said.
“It wasn’t back. Certainly wasn’t shoulder. He played out the rest of the game, no issues.”
GEELONG coach Chris Scott is hopeful the reinforcements are coming for his side after the club’s loss to Fremantle on Saturday.
“We’re really optimistic on Dangerfield, Rohan, De Koning; Mitch Duncan might be a little bit longer,” he said.
“Cam Guthrie is close.
“Menegola is going to be a bit longer, Stanley is going to be a bit longer.”
