Essendon and Sydney both have injury worries heading into Round 17 after tough games over the weekend. The Swans are hit the hardest with a number of key players in doubt including Adam Goodes, Ryan O’Keefe, Nick Malceski and Leo Barry, with Michael O’Loughlin being ruled out, while the Bombers may lose Jay Neagle, Angus Monfries and Andrew Welsh.
Sydney will meet Adelaide at the SCG on Saturday coming off their two-point win over Carlton at Telstra Dome.
Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos explained that Brownlow Medalist Adam Goodes is nursing a sore groin but hopes it will be better by Saturday and that Nick Malceski was battling a calf injury. He also said that “Mick (O’Loughlin) definitely won’t play this weekend but Ryan O’Keefe looks pretty good today and Leo Barry will probably miss.”
Essendon’s injury list has been stretched to 18 players, with Neagle and Monfries unlikely to play this week after suffering ankle injuries during Saturday’s four point loss to Richmond. Andrew Welsh suffered concussion during the quarter but is a chance of playing against Collingwood on Saturday.