STAR Carlton defender Jacob Weitering is facing a spell on the sidelines after being stretchered off in the AAMI AFL Origin match on Saturday.
It's understood the main concerns for Weitering are his shoulder and ribs, after copping the full brunt of West Australian Mitch Georgiades' 192cm frame.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA v VICTORIA Full match coverage and stats
He was stretchered from the field after a lengthy delay, with every player from both teams making a beeline for the Blue as he was loaded onto the cart, tapping him on the leg, while Georgiades also checked in again as he entered the Victorian rooms.
"Jacob is continuing to undergo all necessary assessments in hospital as a precaution: we'll be in a position to provide a further and more accurate update tomorrow (Sunday), once assessments are completed," Carlton posted on X.
"For now though, we can tell you he is currently in good spirits and surrounded by family. Sending all the love to our No.23."
Victorian coach Chris Scott said he understood Weitering was set to miss a chunk of footy.
"I probably think about Tom Green at GWS (who suffered a suspected torn ACL at training). Hand on heart, there's never a situation when an opposition player gets hurt where you feel nothing but sorry for the player as an individual obviously, but the club more generally," Scott said.
"It reinforces these things happen. I hope Jacob's OK. One thing I should say is the care for the players was first class, the high performance team was really representative of most clubs of the competition.
"What we've decided from here is to allow Carlton to give the update. They've been well informed. Our understanding is that it's serious enough that you need to be updated on it, and he's going to miss a period of time, I think. But I wouldn't like to say anything more than that out of respect for Carlton."
Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell's night ended early with a finger injury, but he told AFL.com.au he wasn't concerned about the issue, with Scott saying Vic and Suns assistant coach Shaun Grigg was confident it was a one-week injury.
Scott believes the Origin concept won't be a one and done situation, with the very real potential of bringing in other sides.
"I'm obviously a huge advocate. And this has the potential to be something big," Scott said.
"We had people knocking down our door to be part of it. So I'd be staggered that given that attitude, if the public didn't get behind it.
"If you were a South Australian-aligned player, or an Allies-aligned player, you'd have to watch that game thinking, 'How could you leave us out of that concept?' It's really got some potential.
"I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be every year. But maybe if it does wane a little bit, maybe then you think about adjusting it. But I can't imagine that wouldn't be the case, I can see it even growing legs.
"As a coach, I think it's the best time now. Our players have a practice match against Hawthorn on Monday, I know where I want our players playing. The intensity out there looked pretty hot."
