Brock McLean (Melbourne) foot
Twisted foot on Friday night. Initial X-ray and scan showed no break or significant ligament injury. If further CT scan today fails to show any break, then will probably miss 2-4 weeks.

Matthew Whelan (Melbourne) neck
Sustained whiplash-type injury in clash of heads with Luke Ball on Friday night. Unable to return to the game. In some doubt this week, but long break will help.

Luke Ball (St Kilda) face
Clash of heads when bumped by Whelan. Cuts to face required 11 stitches. Returned to play. Also concussed. Should be OK for Thursday
night but will probably wear a helmet to protest the face wound.

Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide) ankle
Twisted ankle and sustained some ligament damage. May miss one week.

Peter Bell (Fremantle) thigh
Cork thigh, but should be OK this week.

Matthew Lappin (Bris Lions thigh)
Promising return marred by cork thigh. Short recovery time but should be right by Thursday.

Robert Copeland (Bris Lions) hip
Landed heavily on hip, bruised bone. Doubtful.

Simon Goodwin (Adel) thigh
Badly corked his thigh in the first quarter and could not go back on. Doubtful.


POSSIBLE RETURNS THIS WEEK

Warren Tredrea (Port Adelaide) knee
Chris Grant (Western Bulldogs) groin
Dean Cox (West Coast) quadriceps
Andrew Embley (West Coast) groin
Ashley Hansen (West Coast) groin
Steven King (Geelong) calf
Jared Rivers (Melbourne) hamstring
Peter Burgoyne (Port Adelaide)
quadriceps
Nick Riewolt (St Kilda) hamstring
Adam Schneider (Sydney) hamstring

Peter Brukner is associate professor in sports medicine at Melbourne University.