HAWTHORN defenderXavier Ellis's continued bad runwith injury appears certain to sideline him for the Hawks' massive clash withnemesis Geelong at the MCG on Saturday night.
The 2008premiership star suffered a calf injury that forced him to be substituted outof Hawthorn's clash with over Brisbane Lions before half-time at Aurora Stadiumon Sunday.
The Hawks couldalso be without another talented runner in LiamShiels, who hurt an ankle in the big win over the Lions.
The Cats havetheir own problems, with veteran JoelCorey to be scutinised for tripping Fremantle midfielder Danyle Pearce withan errant left foot that he appeared to thrust out as a reflex action.
Finals aspirant PortAdelaide could be forced to negotiate a tough encounter with Essendon at EtihadStadium on Sunday without three midfielders – captain Travis Boak (ankle), former skipper Domenic Cassisi (left hamstring) and Tom Logan (calf), all of whom were casualties in the Power's superbhome win over Collingwood.
The Bombers willsweat on the fitness of forward StewartCrameri (ankle).
Adelaide veteran Brent Reilly could be consigned to alengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining a badly dislocated rightshoulder when he fell awkwardly in the opening minute against Gold Coast atMetricon Stadium on Saturday.
The 29-year-old,who was playing his first game back after being dropped, will undergo scansearly this week to determine the seriousness of the problem.
His replacement,Crows sub Matthew Wright, latersuffered a corked thigh but played out the match to kick a game-high fourgoals.
The Crows'opponent this week, West Coast, expect midfielder Luke Shuey, a late withdrawal from the clash with Essendon with ahamstring issue, to miss at least another game.
Fremantle is lickingits wounds after its comprehensive loss to Geelong at Simonds Stadium onSaturday night, with defensive stars MichaelJohnson (knee) and Paul Duffield (rightcalf) in doubt for the home game against St Kilda on Sunday.
Fellow defender Zac Dawson could also be cited for ahigh, swinging-arm tackle on Geelong little man Mathew Stokes, who left thefield dazed but returned to play a starring role.
The Saints willmonitor the progress of two of their own backmen, Dylan Roberton (ankle), SeanDempster (leg).
Carlton's could bewithout defender Simon White (ankle)for Friday night's blockbuster againstCollingwood at the MCG. The versatile White was subbed out of the Blues' lossto the Sydney Swans.
North Melbourne sharpshooterLindsay Thomas faces possible suspensionfor head-butting Greater Western Sydney youngster Jacob Townsend at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The Coleman Medalhopeful would be sorely missed in the Kangaroos' clash with Richmond at EtihadStadium on Sunday.
Townsend could also face sanction, with footage appearing to show the Giantprovoking Thomas with a similar action.
Richmond's Nick Vlastuin is under a cloud for theKangaroos clash after pulling out of the Tigers' clash with St Kilda with a shinproblem.
Brisbane Lionsbig man Daniel Merrett was also latewithdrawal with groin tightness against Hawthorn and remains in doubt for the QClashwith Gold Coast on Saturday.
It's a similaroutlook for Sydney Swans premiership player Mitch Morton, who withdrew from the game against Carlton with a quadissue.
The Swans willface Melbourne, which has its own concerns over a leg injury to speedster Sam Blease.
Ben Collins is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him onTwitter: @AFL_BenCollins
