COLLINGWOOD'S loss to the Western Bulldogs was compounded by injuries to four key players, which left the Magpies with no available men on the bench for the last 13 minutes of the match.
Defender Alan Toovey was the first casualty after failing a concussion test, while midfielder Taylor Adams hopped off the ground early in the third quarter with a left hamstring injury.
Forward Alex Fasolo did not feature in the final quarter due to a left shoulder complaint, and the tiring Magpies could not make any further rotations when Darcy Moore succumbed to a collarbone injury soon after.
Carlton skipper Marc Murphy will have scans on Monday after sustaining a right ankle injury when Cat Patrick Dangerfield rolled across his lower leg in a first-quarter tackle.
Murphy received an injection, had his ankle strapped and underwent a fitness test in the rooms, but was unable to run freely and did not reappear.
The Blues were forced to play two men short after quarter-time, with Liam Sumner also going down with an ankle complaint.
Hawthorn defender Matt Spangher lasted just a few minutes against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday after suffering a right hamstring/knee injury.
The 29-year-old left the field clutching his leg after chasing a loose ball near the boundary line, and took no further part in the game.
Speaking post-match, Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said Spangher's latest setback remained unclear, adding "it's hit him down low behind the knee, so I'm not sure if it's the knee itself of whether it's the hamstring".
It was the 195cm backman's first appearance for the Hawks since round 17 last season.
Spangher managed just four senior matches last year – mainly due to persistent right hamstring setbacks – and looks set for another stint on the sidelines.
Essendon's already undermanned key defensive unit suffered a blow, with young defender Michael Hartley going down with a right hamstring injury late in the third term.
Hartley, the Bombers' No.68 selection in last year's NAB AFL Draft, sat out the last quarter against Richmond with ice strapped to his affected leg.
After the game, Bombers coach John Worsfold said he expected Hartley to be sidelined for at least a fortnight with a "minor hamstring".
Melbourne defender Colin Garland suffered a cheekbone injury after receiving an accidental Charlie Dixon elbow to the face early in the fourth quarter, and will have scans to determine the full extent.
Port Adelaide defender Jack Hombsch's afternoon ended prematurely, with the 23-year-old applying ice to his right hamstring in the latter part of the clash.
Giant Adam Kennedy landed heavily on his strapped left shoulder after leaping over Crow Eddie Betts in a marking contest in the final two minutes of the match.
Kennedy received close medical attention but managed to walk off the ground, albeit gingerly.
The 23-year-old will go through the usual post-concussion testing and have his left shoulder closely monitored as a result of the heavy landing.
In other injuries at the weekend:
- North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein spent extended stints on the bench against the Sydney Swans. The 27-year-old's game ended prematurely with ice strapped around his right knee.
Todd Goldstein leaves the field with his knee iced up. Picture: AFL Media
- Fremantle backman Cameron Sutcliffe limped off the ground in the hands of trainers with a left foot/ankle problem in the third term against St Kilda.
- Port's Paul Stewart was left a little dazed after slamming his head on the ground while tackling Demon Christian Petracca in the first quarter. Stewart reappeared and played out the game.
- Lion Allen Christensen was left worse for wear after being crunched in a Cyril Rioli tackle in the final quarter against the Hawks. Christensen came off the ground and looked in obvious discomfort.
- Hawks midfielder Will Langford suffered a head knock after being slammed into the ground in a Trent West tackle in the second quarter. The 23-year-old was assessed and got through the second half unscathed.
- Teammate Josh Gibson received an apparent corked left thigh in the fourth term, but managed to play out the game with no real concern.
- Bomber Craig Bird was left with a bloodied nose after colliding into teammate Zach Merrett’s knee at a contested ground ball. The 27-year-old had a gauze inserted to stem the bleeding, and is expected to be further assessed for any structural damage.
- Carlton's Dennis Armfield hobbled off the ground in the dying stages of the match after Cat Jordan Murdoch accidentally stomped on his right Achilles, but the speedster seemed to have escaped serious damage.
