GREATER Western Sydney will be sweating on the fitness of several key players ahead of a pivotal clash with the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
The injury-plagued Giants are already missing a host of stars and were dealt fresh injury concerns on Friday night, with midfielder Jacob Hopper a late withdrawal against Hawthorn with a hamstring issue.
Coach Leon Cameron said post-game that Hopper and Jeremy Finlayson (hamstring) were unlikely to be fit for the Bulldogs clash, with the following week against Gold Coast a more realistic return date.
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Veteran Brett Deledio is also under an injury cloud this week, after suffering a calf injury against Hawthorn and sitting out the rest of the match. But Cameron said he expected the former Tiger to be available.
In more promising news for the Giants, the club expects Josh Kelly (calf), Matt de Boer (shoulder) and Harry Himmelberg (calf) to return this week.
Hawthorn will monitor the fitness of young forward Mitchell Lewis, who limped off early in the second quarter against GWS with a hip issue but returned to the field and played out the match.
Lewis also appeared to pick up a shoulder issue during the third quarter.
It is probably season over for Melbourne defender Steven May, who damaged his left hamstring in the final quarter against Collingwood, in his first game back from the same injury.
Magnificent goal-saving smother from Steven May! #AFLDeesPies pic.twitter.com/tixi7Hkanq
— AFL (@AFL) August 10, 2019
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The club will also monitor Oskar Baker and Harry Petty, who both came from the field with leg issues during the game.
Collingwood youngster Josh Daicos twice left the field in the third quarter against Melbourne and was ruled out after failing a concussion test.
Josh Daicos suffered a couple of head knocks in the clash against Melbourne. Picture: AFL Photos
Captain Scott Pendlebury went to the bench in the final term with an ankle concern.
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Gold Coast midfielder Anthony Miles was plagued by an ankle injury early against Brisbane, heading into the rooms in the first quarter to get it re-strapped before sitting out most of the second half.
Brisbane forward Lincoln McCarthy was taken from the field after getting his ankle caught in a tackle in the third term but returned to finish the match.
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Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield required treatment for a knee issue after landing awkwardly just before half time against North Melbourne but played out the game.
Patrick Dangerfield came off the field for treatment after this marking contest.#AFLCatsNorth pic.twitter.com/AeMSYDjwfI
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) August 10, 2019
Midfielder Tim Kelly also suffered a sore cheekbone after a collision with Scott Thompson.
North defender Scott Thompson was involved in a collision in the third quarter against Geelong and sat out the game under the concussion rules.
Scott Thompson will sit out the rest of #AFLCatsNorth after this passage. pic.twitter.com/oBTYtrV91p
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) August 10, 2019
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Saints' fans would have had their hearts in their mouths after promising ruckman Rowan Marshall went down clutching his knee after an awkward landing in the first quarter, but he returned to the field and finished out the game against Fremantle.
St Kilda youngster Nick Coffield suffered a dislocated right shoulder in the first term against Fremantle and played no further part in the game.
Nick Coffield's day appears to be over with a shoulder injury.#AFLSaintsFreo pic.twitter.com/lUPm6caNgm
— AFL (@AFL) August 11, 2019
Interim coach Brett Ratten said post-game Coffield was only a "slim" chance to play in the final two rounds.
Crows skipper Rory Sloane copped a knock to the eye at the start of the third term against West Coast and sat out the rest of the match due to blurred vision.
The club said he will be assessed on Monday and managed accordingly.
Rory Sloane won't return in #AFLEaglesCrows after this passage to start the third quarter. pic.twitter.com/IQ6HZ0xCXn
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) August 11, 2019
In other injury news:
– Richmond star Dustin Martin was withdrawn from the match against Carlton with 'soreness'.
– Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston was withdrawn from the selected side against the Giants with a hamstring issue in the warm-up.
– Essendon forward Shaun McKernan had his hamstring assessed in the rooms in the second quarter against the Bulldogs but played out most of the match before finishing on the bench.
– Port Adelaide youngster Zak Butters was ruled out of the selected side against Sydney with a bruised sternum.
– West Coast defender Brad Sheppard copped a heavy hit from Matt Crouch in the first term but was able to play out the rest of the game.