Zero Hanger’s round nine injury wrap

A trio of Demons – Christian Salem, Alex Neal-Bullen and Tim Smith, all suffered concussions in their loss to the Eagles in Perth on Friday night, adding to a long list of casualties at the club. All three could be considered in doubt for Melbourne’s clash with the Giants at the MCG on Sunday.

Collingwood face their own injury crisis ahead of Friday night’s meeting with the Swans at the SCG. Darcy Moore (ankle) and Jordan De Goey (ankle) were late scratches for the Pies on the weekend and Tom Langdon sat out the second half with a knee problem. The availability of all three is currently unknown, however, Mason Cox is expected to be available after missing the last three games with an ankle issue.

The return of Cox could present Nathan Buckley with selection headaches, given the strong form of Ben Reid in his absence. A forward line containing both Reid and Cox could prove to be too slow and a defensive liability.

The Swans could be missing some key players too, with Josh Kennedy pulling out of their win over North Melbourne on Saturday with a quad problem. Zak Jones is set for a stint on the sidelines after hurting his hamstring, but Buddy Franklin will be firming to return.

Patrick Dangerfield looks set for a week off after rolling his ankle in Geelong’s win over the Bulldogs. It is the same ankle that the superstar midfielder recently hurt against the Bombers.

Cats coach Chris Scott confirmed that the injury was more severe this time round.

“He has rolled that same ankle previously, I think it was a few weeks ago when he hurt his knee as well,” Scott told reporters post-match.

“The feedback we’ve got is that it’s a slightly more severe roll of that ankle, but nothing dire … it seems if he’ll miss, it’ll be on the minor side.”

The Hawks’ depth is set be tested, with Ben McEvoy (leg), James Frawley (hamstring) and Mitchell Lewis (concussion) all in doubt to take on Port Adelaide this week. It could open the door for Jarryd Roughead to return to the senior side, who only booted one goal in the VFL on the weekend.

The Blues will be sweating on scans for veteran midfielder Marc Murphy after he suffered a suspected broken rib in Sunday’s 93-point loss to GWS. Giants defender Zac Williams sat out the second half of the clash with hamstring tightness and looks set for a stint on the sidelines.