Injury toll mounts for Fremantle

INJURY has added insult to Fremantle's sixth defeat this season by less than 10 points, with three players failing to finish Sunday's four-point loss to Essendon with injuries.

The home side played the majority of the second half with 19 men after hamstring injuries sidelined important defender Roger Hayden and young Ryley Dunn in the first half.

To compound Fremantle's woes, star stopper Ryan Crowley was taken to hospital in the third quarter with what is suspected to be punctured lung. Crowley appeared to be injured in a marking contest, and after trying to continue, he pulled up short after chasing an Essendon opponent on the wing and took himself off the ground. He was taken straight down to the rooms and shortly after to hospital.

Bombers coach Matthew Knights confirmed after the game that veteran defender Dustin Fletcher has fractures his left hand and looks set to miss several weeks. Fletcher, who was opposed to Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich, suffered the injury late in the second term and played no further part in proceedings, with his opponent going on to kick six goals.