Melbourne key forward Tom McDonald will spend an extended period of time on the sidelines, with the club on Tuesday confirming a Lisfranc injury.
McDonald was a late withdrawal from the side that lost to Sydney Swans and was replaced by Mitch Brown.
Coach Simon Goodwin indicated on radio on Sunday that the 29-year-old was set for a lengthy absence, which was confirmed by the club.
“Unfortunately for Tom, due to the instability of the Lisfranc joint, we consulted with multiple surgeons around the best course of action,” Dees performance manager Selwyn Griffith told the club website.
“Tom and the medical team have decided to go with a small plate across the joint to stabilize the joint, which gives him the opportunity to play towards the backend of this season.”
Collingwood youngster Reef McInnes has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, with the 19-year-old to undergo shoulder surgery.
McInnes suffered the injury during Sunday’s win over Hawthorn, with the club confirming on Tuesday evening it would require surgery.
Essendon’s Andy McGrath is reportedly in a race to prove himself fit to face Carlton on Friday night.
The number one draft pick tweaked his groin while taking part in match simulation training over the weekend.
McGrath pulled up sore on Saturday as the Bombers enjoyed the bye.
“It’s a little bit of awareness in my sort of groin/adductor area,” he told 7NEWS.
“It’s nothing too serious. I’m still a fairly good chance to play this weekend.
“It was pretty innocuous to be honest. I went to change direction and just felt something off a little bit.
“We took a pretty cautious approach.”
He didn’t train on Monday but is hopeful to play on Friday night.
GWS say forward Bobby Hill’s surgery for testicular cancer was “successful”.
The 22-year-old remains sidelined indefinitely since revealing his shock diagnosis.
The club says Hill will undergo “further assessment” in the coming weeks.
The Giants remain without Tim Taranto as he manages an ongoing back issue and draftee Finn Callaghan as he sees specialists in Melbourne about an ongoing foot issue.
Callaghan is expected to miss at least another month while Taranto has missed matches against West Coast and Brisbane but could return to the training track next week, according to the club.
There’s better news for duo Lachie Whitfield and Callan Ward for the clash with North Melbourne, while Phil Davis is also making good progress in his return from a serious hamstring injury, as is Jacob Hopper from his back-to-back knee issues.
Geelong will be without midfielder Brandan Parfitt for the “short-to-medium term” after breaking his hand in the win over the Western Bulldogs.
“After assessment and consultation, Brandan will have surgery on his hand in the coming days to ensure the best recovery for him - short and long term,” Cats head of medical and conditioning services Harry Taylor said.
“Brandan’s status will be assessed post-surgery, however it is expected he will be unavailable for the short to medium term.”
Sam Menegola could come into consideration for the clash with West Coast after the bye as he made a successful VFL return.
Tom Stewart is also expected to be available as he completes his mandatory 12-day break under the AFL’s concussion protocols.
Port Adelaide are set to regain defender Trent McKenzie for the clash with Richmond on Thursday night.
McKenzie hasn’t featured for the Power since their Round 3 showdown loss to Adelaide.
The 30-year-old went in for surgery on his left knee but has rejoined the main group at training.
Sam Skinner is also available after his stint in the AFL’s concussion protocols, while ruckman Scott Lycett is progressing well after shoulder surgery.
But Orazio Fantasia is still sidelined for at least three weeks with a quad complaint.
The Western Bulldogs have revealed forward Josh Bruce is eyeing a return after clearing his final testing last week.
At this stage, Bruce says he will return via the VFL after being sidelined since round 21 last year with his knee injury.
“(I) got cleared to train full-contact with the group from next week, which also means I’m clear to play,” Bruce told ABC Radio.
“My timeline will probably be that VFL game after the bye - so I’ll hopefully have a run around there if I’m feeling up to it.
“If I’m not feeling up to it in terms of my training and stuff, I’ll push it back a week but it’s up to me and up to the coaches now, which is exciting.
“It’s not as though I’m going to come straight back in and be able to play elite AFL footy ... Whether it takes me two or three weeks in the VFL to find the form and then another week in the AFL – I’m not really sure how it’s going to look.”
Elsewhere, Gold Coast’s strong outing against North Melbourne has been soured by a devastating injury blow, with confirmation gun defender Lachie Weller tore his ACL at TIO Stadium.
Weller was running towards his side’s 50m arc before he landed awkwardly when planting his leg.
The 26-year-old clutched at his knee immediately and thumped the ground in frustration.
Weller was helped from the field by Gold Coast trainers for further assessment.
On Monday, the club said scans confirmed the worst for Weller.
“It’s really unfortunate news for Lachie who went in for scans this afternoon to determine the full extent of the injury, with the results showing he has torn the ACL in his right knee,” Suns GM Wayne Campbell said.
“Lachie will now meet with a surgeon later in the week, before having an operation to repair the ligament.”
“That looked really bad,” North Melbourne legend David King said when Weller went down.
“He knew straight away. That’s sad. You hope for the best. He was having a brilliant day and he’s such an important part of this counterpunch machine off halfback. I hope he’s alright.”
“Unfortunately it’s an action we’ve seen before isn’t it,” four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis added.
“In these sort of moments it’s hard to know what to say. You’re right, he’s so important to them. You cross your fingers and hope he’s OK.”
He was subbed out of the game and replaced by Jeremy Sharp.
Weller has been one of the Suns’ most durable players since being traded from Fremantle ahead of the 2018 season.
The 26-year-old has three goals this season to go with 225 disposals from 11 games.
The Suns remain hopeful forward Levi Casboult will be fit for the Round 14 clash with Adelaide.
Casboult missed the win over the Kangaroos in Darwin with a calf complaint.
But with the bye this week, the club remains hopeful it will be enough time for Casboult to prove his fitness.
