Holding hope for injured North stars
North Melbourne is confident up to five key players have avoided serious injury following the loss to Brisbane on Saturday night.
Lachlan Hansen, Jack Ziebell, Aaron Mullett, Robbie Tarrant and Andrew Swallow all required medical attention during the game at the GABBA but could still line-up against Carlton according to director of medical service Steve Saunders.
Not long after the first bounce, Hansen copped a knock to the head and was escorted from the ground with concussion.
"Lachie's progressing really well," Saunders explained on Monday.
"His testing today and yesterday was really good so we'll slowly progress his training loads throughout the week and re-test him and hope he's right for the game.
"He was out running around and marking today. He'll do a modified version of training."
Swallow required strapping to his wrist, but Saunders is confident he'll be named while Ziebell's knee has also responded well to a hit.
"Jack just copped bumps and bruises really. He received a knee to the inside of his knee so he's got a big bruise there but he's all fine."
Tarrant also went down briefly with what appeared to be a concerning knee complaint.
"His knee is all good. He hyper-extended it in the game, stretched a few tissues at the back of the knee but he's presented with no swelling and no pain today."
Outstanding young defender Mullett will be closely monitored with an ankle injury and Saunders will give him every opportunity to recover.
"The ankle was forced into a planter-flexed or pointed position so he stretched some tissues at the front and he jammed up some tissues at the back. We'll test him at the end of the week."
Daniel Currie and Tim McGenniss were noticeable absentees in Werribee's sensational win over Casey on Sunday and should also be cleared to play this weekend.
"Daniel's bruised heel is going really well. We expect him to be right for this weekend. He should train tomorrow then we'll probably give him the rest of the week with lighter work leading into the game.
"Tim had nerve irritation in his lower leg and was very close to being cleared to play on the weekend but we thought given the short turnaround playing on Tuesday it was best to give him a rest."
Injury list:
Hansen (concussion) test
Swallow (wrist) test
Mullett (ankle) test
Tarrant (knee) test
Ziebell (knee) test
Currie (heel) test
McGenniss (lower leg) test
Wood (knee) season
Curran (foot) season