Zero Hanger’s round six injury wrap

As if things couldn’t get any worse for Melbourne, co-captain Jack Viney was absolutely crunched by Sydney Stack in Wednesday night’s ANZAC Day Eve clash and could require surgery. The 25-year old injured the AC joint in his right shoulder and the club will make a call on Monday whether or not he will go under the knife.

Tigers forward Jack Riewoldt suffered a PCL injury in the same game and was subsequently ruled out for six to eight weeks for the suddenly hot Tigers. That could mean Noah Balta continues to see senior opportunities despite a quiet output against the Demons.

Essendon’s Devon Smith appears to have escaped a serious knee injury after getting put on ice in the fourth quarter of his side’s Anzac Day clash against Collingwood. He was cleared of any structural damage and is a chance to take on the Cats this Sunday.

Port Adelaide have been dealt a major blow ahead of their blockbuster clash with the Pies on Friday night, with star forward Robbie Gray requiring surgery for a broken hand. He will miss the next month, and with Charlie Dixon also sidelined, creates a major void in the Power’s forward line.

The biggest injury news to come out of the weekend was GWS’ star duo Lachie Whitfield (corked thigh) and Stephen Coniglio (dislocated finger) getting struck down during their clash with Sydney on Saturday night.

Despite playing out the game, the pair are in doubt to take the field in the Giants’ meeting with St Kilda on Saturday. Coniglio told Channel Nine’s Sunday Footy Show he expects to get up for the Saints clash, but the decision will ultimately be out of his hands.

Carlton’s narrow loss to Hawthorn on Sunday was further compounded by injuries to veteran defender Kade Simpson and recruit Nic Newman, who both failed to play in the fourth quarter. Simpson didn’t return after half time due to “hamstring tightness”, while Newman sustained his own leg injury.