ESSENDON'S hopes of arresting a three-game losing streak have received adouble blow with pacy forward JasonWinderlich suffering a hamstring injury and veteran Dustin Fletcher on report.
The injury-prone Winderlich was substituted out of the Bombers' loss toWest Coast and appears certain to miss the clash with North Melbourne onSaturday, while Fletcher's club-record 379th game could be placed on hold aftera high bump on young Eagle Jamie Cripps.
In the last quarter, Cripps handballed to teammate Josh Hill for an easygoal when Fletcher jumped off the ground and made high contact with hisforearm.
The 38-year-old, the oldest player in the game, has been suspended 11times in his career but hasn’t been banned since round 13, 2010.
He and the Bombers face a nervous wait ahead of the Match Review Panel'sfindings on Monday afternoon.
Carlton's finals hopes are in disarray after suffering a deflating lossto the Western Bulldogs and season-ending injuries to dual Brownlow medallist Chris Judd (torn medial ligament in hisleft knee) and young defender MatthewWatson (fractured left foot).
To make matters even worse, leading goalkicker Jeff Garlett (corked glute) is in doubt for the Blues' clash withRichmond at the MCG on Saturday.
Former Tigers captain ChrisNewman hopes an ankle problem won’t derail his quest to participate in hisfirst finals series, while Shane Edwardswas a late withdrawal from the clash with Brisbane Lions with a hamstringproblem.
Hawthorn could enter its blockbuster against a primed Collingwood at theMCG on Friday night severely under-strength after forward Jack Gunston hurt his left quad, while brilliant playmakers Sam Mitchell and Cyril Rioli could come under attention from the Match Review Panel.
In an off-the-ball incident during the Hawks' win over St Kilda, Mitchelldelivered an open-handed slap to the face of a Saints opponent, while Rioli mayface scrutiny for another chicken-wing style tackle on Jarryn Geary.
Geelong will travel to Perth to take on West Coast on Saturday possiblywithout Mitch Duncan (concussion)and rookie big man Josh Walker (wrist),while spearhead Tom Hawkins islikely to persist despite an ongoing back issue.
The Kangaroos will monitor an ankle problem suffered by vice-captain Jack Ziebell in their loss to Adelaideon Sunday.
Sydney Swans midfielder DanHannebery was in the wars during his side's loss to Collingwood and clutchedhis strapped right shoulder on several occasions, but the young warrior isexpected to continue to play through the pain barrier.
On Sunday at the SCG the Swans will host St Kilda, which could bewithout defender James Gwilt, whohas suffered more knee issues, while veteran Stephen Milne was a late withdrawal against Hawthorn with calfsoreness.
Fremantle speedster Stephen Hill pulled out of the Dockers' clash with Greater Western Sydney on Sunday withhamstring tightness and is in doubt for Sunday's game against Melbourne at theMCG.
High-leaping Demons forward Jeremy Howe was also a late withdrawal from his side'smatch against Gold Coast with a calf ailment.
The Suns have a raft of issues ahead of their clash with Port Adelaideat AAMI Stadium on Saturday.
Enforcer CampbellBrown is once again in danger of being suspended after a bizarre incidentin which his boot made contact with James Strauss's face, breaking the Demon's nose.
NathanBock will play no further part in the season aftersuffering further problems with his troublesome right leg. After just hissecond game back after a year on the sidelines, Bock will undergo surgery tohave a rod removed from the leg.
Meanwhile, AlanSexton has a dislocated left shoulder and Sam Day and Steven Mayhave hamstring problems.
Arch rival Brisbane Lions could be without onballer BrentMoloney (hamstring tightness) and rookie Justin Clarke (shoulder) for their game against Greater WesternSydney at the Gabba on Saturday night.
Ben Collins is a reporter for AFLMedia. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_BenCollins http://afl.to/bencollins
