Zero Hanger’s round eight injury wrap

The Crows will be sweating on the fitness of gun midfielder Matt Crouch ahead of their clash with the Lions at the Gabba on Saturday.

The 24-year old suffered a knock to his hip during the third quarter of Saturday night’s Showdown win over Port Adelaide. He attempted to play out the game but was ruled out soon after.

However, the club have since revealed they are optimistic he will be free to face Brisbane.

“We expect him to make sufficient progress to be available for next week’s game,” Crows Science and Medical Services Coordinator Steve Saunder told afc.com.au.

Power recruit Ryan Burton also went down in the Showdown, suffering a right hamstring soreness in the first quarter that sidelined him for the rest of the night.

Burton adds to a growing list of injuries at the club, including co-captains Ollie Wines and Tom Jonas, as well as Robbie Gray, Brad Ebert, Charlie Dixon and Hamish Hartlett.

They escaped with the win, but Geelong paid the price for it in Sunday’s triumph over North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

Tom Stewart and Gary Rohan were both involved in head clashes, with the latter sitting out the majority of the game. Tom Atkins sustained a hamstring tweak in the first quarter and went on to play just 47 per cent game time, while Tom Hawkins copped a hip knock.

They could all be considered in doubt for Saturday’s clash with the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium.

The Tigers’ injury woes have worsened, with Toby Nankervis (groin) and Jack Ross (foot) adding to a lengthy list of casualties at Punt Road. The duo both went down in Sunday’s win against the Dockers in Perth and will have scans to determine the severity of the damage during the week.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick has already ruled the pair out for this week’s clash with Hawthorn.

“They both won’t play next week, so where that leaves us longer term I’m not too sure,” Hardwick told reporters post-match.