GEELONG and the SydneySwans could both be without match-winners when they do battle for a top-twoberth at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.
Brilliant Cats speedsterSteven Motlop was substituted out ofSaturday night's game against West Coast with hamstring tightness, but his clubinsists it was a precaution and that he will be available to take on the Swans.
Teammate Josh Walker aggravated a wrist problemagainst the Eagles, while skipper JoelSelwood could attract the attention of the Match Review Panel (MRP) formaking high contact on his brother Scott, his direct opponent on the night.
The Swans will monitorthe fitness of spearhead Kurt Tippett,who experienced hamstring tightness in his side's win over St Kilda.
There is a fear the prized recruit could join astar-studded injury list headed by premiership players Adam Goodes (knee),Lewis Jetta (shin), Sam Reid (quad) and Lewis Roberts-Thomson (knee).
Essendonmidfielder Dyson Heppell will havescans on his favoured left foot on Monday, and the results could have asignificant influence on whether the finals-bound Bombers can arrest afour-game slump against Carlton at the MCG on Saturday.
Port Adelaide'squest to cement its place in the finals with an unlikely win over Fremantle inPerth on Saturday night is under threat as the Power monitors several injuries.
Midfielder Hamish Hartlett faces a potentialsuspension for his heavy hit on Gold Coast's Seb Tape, who suffered concussion.
Hartlett could beruled out regardless after suffering a left shoulder injury later in the match.
Power teammates Cameron Hitchcock (hamstring) and Campbell Heath (wrist) were also hurtagainst the Suns, while first-year draftee SamColquhuon was a late withdrawal with back tightness.
The Dockers havetheir own issues, with ruckman AaronSandilands sustaining a suspected fractured cheekbone, while goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne is likely to miss thePower clash with a right shoulder injury.
Richmond's lossto Carlton was compounded by knee injuries to skipper Trent Cotchin and spearhead JackRiewoldt. However, the fifth-placed Tigers may have the option of resting soreplayers when they play bottom side Greater Western Sydney at Skoda Stadium onSunday.
Riewoldt hyperextendedhis right knee while taking a pack mark, but has been cleared of structuraldamage, while Cotchin played out the match against the Blues.
Adding to theTigers concerns, Ricky Petterd has aleft ankle problem and speedster MattWhite pulled out of the game with soreness, while defender DylanGrimes was subbed outearly, apparently as part of a pre-planned move, in his first game since roundsix after returning from an ankle injury.
Hawthorn veteran Brent Guerra was a late withdrawal fromthe Hawks' clash with Collingwood with a knee issue.
The Hawks'opponent this Saturday, North Melbourne, also had high-profile withdrawals in Jack Ziebell (ankle) and Scott Thompson (soreness) againstEssendon.
Collingwood is hopingfor the best after 2010 premiership star DaleThomas suffered another ankle injury after lasting just eight minutes in hisreturn match in the VFL. The Magpies say Thomas jarred the ankle, which willundergo scans on Monday.
Pies smalldefender Ben Sinclair has a left shoulderproblem, while three Pies will nervously await MRP findings on Mondayafternoon.
Tyson Goldsack could come under scrutiny for a bump on Jack Gunston,while Quinten Lynch and Brent Macaffer will sweat on rulings onseparate incidents involving Hawthorn veteran Sam Mitchell.
West Coastruckman Dean Cox was reported forstriking Geelong skipper Selwood. The 271-game veteran has been found guiltyjust once – for striking former Brisbane Lions big man Jamie Charman back in2005 – but has never been suspended.
Eagles teammate Chris Masten was a late withdrawal fromthe Cats clash with a thigh problem.
Western Bulldogsruckman Will Minson could also comeunder notice for applying a 'chicken wing' tackle on Adelaide superstar PatrickDangerfield in the opening seconds of the second quarter at Etihad Stadium onSunday. Dangerfield couldn't recall the incident and suffered no ill-effects.
The Dogs travelto the Gabba to play the Lions, who will monitor a hip injury suffered by thebrilliant Pearce Hanley.
Melbourne trio Sam Blease (left leg), James Strauss (left shoulder) and Shannon Byrnes (foot) could miss theDemons' game against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.
The Crows' Mitchell Grigg was a late withdrawalfrom the clash with the Bulldogs with a hip problem.
Twitter: @AFL_BenCollins
