Christian Petracca was in trouble post-game after suffering a blow in the dying seconds of Melbourne’s win. But he believes he will be fine.
Petracca’s left foot was caught underneath Hawthorn captain James Sicily as the Demons midfielder dished off a handball to set up Bayley Fritsch for a late goal.
He was seen in visible distress post-game chatting to club medical staff and pointing to the outside of his left foot before limping off the ground.
But the Norm Smith medallist, who was best afield in the clash with 30 disposals, 15 contested possessions and 148 SuperCoach ranking points, insisted that he was fine.
Hoping this late injury to Christian Petracca is a minor one ð¤
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— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 13, 2023
“Nah I’m all good, I just got caught in a tackle there with Sicily when I handballed to (Frisch). I’ll be right.”
Hawthorn great Jason Dunstall said it would be a massive blow for the Demons if they lost Petracca to injury.
“He is having a fantastic season. They can ill afford to lose him so hopefully it is nothing serious, because he is in outstanding form,” he told Fox Footy.
Injury disaster compounds another North hiding
North Melbourne has been left to count the cost of another heavy loss after being hit with five injuries in its loss to Port Adelaide.
None will be as costly as a hamstring injury to star midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke, who was the Roos’ best player with 29 disposals before going down in the last quarter.
Alastair Clarkson’s side also lost Darcy Tucker to a hamstring injury, Flynn Perez to concussion, Jack Mahony to a shoulder injury and Paul Curtis with a corkie.
It was a disasatrous afternoon for North in Hobart as their first game against former Roo Jason Horne-Francis ended in a 70-point defeat.
EAGLE PLAYED WITH FRACTURED ARM
West Coast forward Jack Darling played out the bulk of the second half against Gold Coast with a fractured arm as the Eagles’ injury crisis deepened.
Darling suffered the injury early in the third term, but insisted he was right to play on. Scans on Saturday confirmed that he had suffered a break.
It leaves West Coast dangerously short of manpower after another significant injury ahead of a trip to Launceston to take on Hawthorn next week.
Jack Darling played out Friday’s game with a fractured arm.
“It was really brave of Jack to return to the field after suffering the injury during the third quarter and do what he could to help the team,” West Coast General Manager – Football Gavin Bell said.
“Unfortunately, x-rays have confirmed Jack has fractured his forearm.
“He will see a specialist this week and the club will determine his rehabilitation program and recovery timeframe from there.”
Eagles coach Adam Simpson said of Darling: “He didn’t want to come off. I know he cops a lot, and sometimes when you’re out of form, that’s what it is. But he loves this club, and he loves his teammates … he wants to help.”
DE GOEY MYSTERY AS PIES STAR MISSES CAPTAIN’S RUN
Inspirational Collingwood skipper Darcy Moore appears on track to take his place against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday after battling a nasty skin infection throughout the week.
Moore went through his paces at the Magpies’ captain’s run on Saturday morning which was one of the final boxes he needed to tick to take on the Giants.
Star midfielder Jordan De Goey was a noticeable absentee from the captain’s run, but the Magpies are adamant he will be right to take on the Giants.
Running halfback John Noble was also missing. He is working to overcome a corked thigh, as the four Magpies’ emergency players trained with the main group on Saturday.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae revealed on Friday that Moore was under a cloud after having a skin infection on his elbow.
He stressed that it had been badly infected and needed to do “more” in the next 24 hours to prove his fitness.
Collingwood is adamant Jordan De Goey will play against GWS.
STAR BOMBER OUT FOR UP TO A MONTH
Essendon free agent Darcy Parish will miss up to a month after injuring his calf at training on Thursday to top a disastrous week on the injury front for Brad Scott’s side.
Parish pulled up tight on Thursday at training with scans confirming an injury that will require three or four weeks of rehabilitation.
He will miss the Gabba clash with Brisbane on Saturday as the latest star Bomber to miss time with injury.
It came in the same week as young key position defender Zach Reid was ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring injury and Harrison Jones was ruled out long-term with a back injury.
Parish was having an exceptional season, ranking elite in disposals, contested possessions, clearances and metres gained in a year in which he will need to make a decision on his future.
Darcy Parish will miss up to a month. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Dons would be frustrated by the amount of injuries they have suffered in a year where they have made significant gains under new coach Scott.
Reid would have replaced Jordan Ridley, concussed in an incident that saw Junior Rioli suspended, but instead he will again be sidelined.
Essendon will take on Brisbane with Jake Kelly also out of the side with delayed concussion.
The Dons were dominated by Port Adelaide in aerial contests after Ridley’s concussion, with Kaine Baldwin into the side and likely to play as a key back.
Sam Durham is back from suspension while last weeks’ sub Jye Menzie will be part of the starting side.
Tigers young gun suffers another setback
Richmond’s emerging star defender Josh Gibcus has suffered another setback in his hamstring recovery that will stretch out his AFL return date
The Tigers were hopeful Gibcus would play a half in the VFL this weekend after hamstring tendon surgery in January.
He has battled three infections in the hamstring wound that has delayed his return but suffered another episode while warming up on Wednesday.
It is not tendon-related but the Tigers are now aware they will need to build his hamstring strength up before he is ready for the rigors of the AFL.
Josh Gibcus has suffered another setback. Picture: Michael Klein
He suffered significant muscle waste while unable to train as he fought off the trio of infections, so will need to build strength and stamina before his next attempt at an AFL return.
The Tigers do not have a return date for him as they assess their best course of action.
Star forward Tom Lynch will see a specialist on Monday to assess whether his metatarsal fracture has healed enough for him to ramp up his recovery.
He is still some time away from an AFL return.
Co-captain Toby Nankervis will ramp up his training on Saturday and is likely to return in round 11 against Port Adelaide.
If he can get through training next week he is a chance to take on Essendon in the Dreamtime at the ‘G clash but a return the following week is more likely.