PORT Adelaide midfielder Brad Ebert appears to have escaped serious injury after he was coughing up blood following a heavy landing at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.
Ebert landed heavily after taking a big mark in the first term against Hawthorn and was taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital at quarter-time.
The Power will be relieved with the initial "bruised ribs" diagnosis with coach Ken Hinkley revealing the gun midfielder is a chance to take on North Melbourne next week.
"I think he's just got bruised ribs," Hinkley said.
"He was coughing up a bit of blood. The precaution was to make sure he was OK first and foremost.
"The report I've got back just then is that Brad's going to be OK. In fact with the (nine-day) break we've got I suspect he's probably a real chance to play (North Melbourne)."
Brad Ebert took a courageous mark but he started coughing up blood after a hard landing. #AFLPowerHawks https://t.co/6dGzJY5A2g
— AFL (@AFL) July 7, 2016
Ebert will be just one of many sore Port players after a bruising encounter with the unsociable Hawks.
Travis Boak received a knee to the stomach in a marking contest against Luke Hodge and was sore during the third term. He returned to the ground and played out the match.
Logan Austin and Hamish Hartlett both received head knocks but played out the match.
Five talking points: Port Adelaide v Hawthorn
Charlie Dixon also looked in discomfort late in the game.
Hinkley said the big forward had a sore back but believed he was a strong chance to be fit for next week.
The news isn't all bad on the injury front with a host of players pushing to return next week.
Port will welcome back Tom Jonas from suspension against the Roos and Hinkley said Matthew White was a chance to return from a pectorial strain, which had sidelined him for most of the season.
The coach was also hopeful that ruckman Matthew Lobbe would overcome a knee injury in time to face North.
Port has been without a recognised ruckman for the past two months.
Luke Hodge collects Travis Boak in a marking contest. Picture: AFL Media