A knee injury to Collingwood key defender Nathan Brown and a twisted ankle for tall forward Quinten Lynch have given the Magpies some potential AFL finals headaches.
The duo join Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin and Carlton’s Chris Judd on the list of key players under selection clouds for the opening weekend of finals.
Brown was subbed off in the second term of Sunday’s 19.11 (125) to 17.12 (114) loss to North Melbourne and went straight to the rooms, where he had ice strapped to his left knee.
Lynch was helped off the ground by trainers after his left ankle twisted awkwardly in a third-term marking contest, although in a good sign he returned in the last quarter.
It will be a major blow to the Magpies if either or both are unable to face Port Adelaide in Saturday night’s MCG elimination final.
Lynch has been pivotal in recent weeks as a third marking forward and ruck pinch-hitter.
Brown would have been set for a big job on one of Port’s key marking targets Jay Schulz or Justin Westhoff.
One of those defensive roles might now fall to a smaller defender such as utility Tyson Goldsack.
A less likely alternative is the Magpies might ponder returning in-form forward Ben Reid to his former backline role.
Reid, who kicked five goals on Sunday, also provided a scare when he was on the bench receiving treatment to his right thigh in the last quarter, but he returned to the ground.
Hawthorn will learn on Monday whether they lose Franklin to suspension for Friday night’s qualifying final against Sydney, or perhaps even longer.
Franklin was booked for a head-high bump on Nick Malceski during Friday night’s 12-point win over the Swans.
If it’s deemed reckless conduct with medium impact, that would wipe the two-time Coleman Medallist out for two games, although a lower grading could enable him to escape with a reprimand.
Both the Hawks and Swans expect to regain key players, including Cyril Rioli and Brent Guerra for Hawthorn and Kurt Tippett, Dan Hannebery and perhaps Lewis Jetta for Sydney.
Carlton are hoping midfielders Judd and Brock McLean will return from injury for Sunday’s elimination final against Richmond, although neither are certain.
The Tigers should welcome back Jack Riewoldt, Chris Newman and Shane Edwards, but are likely to lose Matt White (hamstring).
Fremantle will welcome back a host of players for Saturday’s qualifying final against Geelong, after fielding a virtual second-string team this weekend, but have lost Clancee Pearce (calf).
Port’s former skipper Domenic Cassisi will be sweating on Monday’s match review panel deliberations over a sling tackle on Carlton’s Marc Murphy.