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AN UNDERMANNED Essendon will monitor the fitness of a host of key players ahead of a crucial round 21 clash against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.

The injury-hit Bombers suffered a blow to their finals aspirations when they were thrashed by Port Adelaide at the weekend - and that loss was further compounded with some fresh complaints to important members of their best 22.

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Midfielder Darcy Parish copped an accidental knee to the head during the second quarter of the Marvel Stadium contest with the Power and will be closely monitored during the week after he failed a concussion test.

Young gun Aaron Francis (knock) and rebounding defender Adam Saad (tight hamstring) managed to play out the match after they experienced their own injury concerns, while underrated big man Shaun McKernan was a late withdrawal due to illness.

Speedster Adam Saad spent some time on the bench after a hamstring complaint. Picture: AFL Photos

With key forward Joe Daniher (groin) done for the season, veteran defender Michael Hurley (shoulder) and No.1 ruckman Tom Bellchambers (calf) not expected to return in the next fortnight and skipper Dyson Heppell remaining a week-to-week proposition with his foot issue, Essendon coach John Worsfold has a lot to ponder ahead of the clash against the Dogs.

The injury fallout from the weekend wasn't restricted to top-eight hopefuls, with teams near the top of the ladder also suffering some fresh concerns.

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Geelong fell to a disappointing 34-point loss to Fremantle in Perth on Saturday afternoon and in the process lost former Swan Gary Rohan to an ankle problem.

Gary Rohan finished the match against the Dockers on the bench. Picture: AFL Photos

Rohan will need to prove his fitness ahead of the Cats' match against North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night, while small forward Luke Dahlhaus and defender Mark O'Connor will also be monitored after they were late withdrawals for the contest at Optus Stadium.

Collingwood will monitor the fitness of Mason Cox after the key forward sat out the second half of the Magpies' 69-point thumping of Gold Coast on Sunday with an eye complaint.

Cox consulted a specialist on Sunday evening, but the Magpies remain hopeful that the big man has escaped serious injury and will be fit to take on Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.

All eyes will be on big Pie Mason Cox this week. Picture: AFL Photos

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Brisbane will be sweating on the fitness of captain Dayne Zorko after the veteran midfielder picked up a hamstring injury during the third quarter of his side's 18-point triumph over the Bulldogs.

There might be some good news on the injury front for Greater Western Sydney, with the top-four hopefuls a chance of regaining Coleman Medal leader Jeremy Cameron (calf), gun midfielder Josh Kelly (calf) and No.1 stopper Matt de Boer (shoulder) for its match against Hawthorn in Canberra on Friday night.

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Ruckman Dawson Simpson (managed) was a late withdrawal from the Giants' side that snuck past the Swans on the weekend and may also return, while fellow tall Jeremy Finlayson played out the match after he dislocated his finger during the two-point triumph.

The Hawks are likely to need to find a replacement for Grant Birchall after he limped from the field during the third quarter of their 22-point loss to North Melbourne on Friday night.

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In other injury news:

- Melbourne defender Jake Lever rolled his ankle during the second quarter of the team's 33-point loss to Richmond on Saturday night, before returning to the field to play out the match.

- Kyle Hartigan also hurt his ankle on the weekend, with the underrated Adelaide defender playing out the game after receiving treatment from trainers during the first quarter of the 22-point win over St Kilda.

- Gold Coast ruckman Jarrod Witts limped from the field with a knee complaint during the final quarter of the 69-point loss to Collingwood.

- Carlton veteran Dale Thomas had a bout of the flu and was a late withdrawal from the team that fell to a four-goal loss to West Coast on Sunday.

- Experienced defender Hayden Crozier hurt his ankle after taking a big mark in defence during the final quarter of the 18-point loss to Brisbane. Skipper Easton Wood and in-form midfielder Josh Dunkley were also a bit sore after both players picked up knocks during the final term at the Gabba.