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ADELAIDE will sweat on the fitness of inspirational co-captain Rory Sloane ahead of its big home clash with second-placed Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night.

The Crows, who were lucky to beat Melbourne in Darwin on Saturday night and retain their place in the top eight, will be praying for good news when Sloane undergoes scans on a sore right hamstring.

The dual club champion left the field in the second quarter after a contest with Melbourne tagger James Harmes and didn't return.

"It looks a fairly low-grade one, but he wasn't able to come back on, which probably puts him in some doubt for next week," Adelaide coach Pyke said post-match.

"But we'll get a scan and let you guys know once we know the status of that."

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The Giants have their own concerns with guns Lachie Whitfield (shoulder/collarbone) and Toby Greene (knee) pulling up sore after their big win over Gold Coast at Giants Stadium on Saturday.

Whitfield, who has been one of the players of the season, copped a brutal bump from Suns co-captain David Swallow after he'd dished off a handball early in the last quarter. The brilliant playmaker immediately clutched at his right shoulder region and took no further part in proceedings.

Lachie Whitfield is crunched by David Swallow in a bruising tackle. Picture: AFL Photos

Forward genius Greene also watched the last part of the contest from the interchange bench after experiencing an issue behind his knee, but Giants coach Leon Cameron expects both stars to be available to face the Crows.

Melbourne could immediately welcome back defensive reinforcements Christian Salem and Marty Hore for the Queen's Birthday clash with Collingwood.

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Both players were late withdrawals against Adelaide – Salem with illness and Hore with calf soreness – and would be handy additions against a Collingwood attack with a range of goalscoring options.

The rebounding Magpies, who suffered a shock four-point loss to Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday, might well need to manage ruck star Brodie Grundy, who was hindered by an ankle problem.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley told reporters after the game that the big man "seems OK", buoyed by the fact he played out the match. The Pies also have an eight-day break between games.

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An extended break could also favour seasoned North Melbourne backman Jamie Macmillan in his bid to take on Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday after scans confirmed he damaged his left calf in the second quarter of the win over Richmond on Friday night.

"He had a scan and I think there's a little nick there but we're just going to see how he goes during the week," Kangaroos caretaker coach Rhyce Shaw told Channel Seven on Sunday.

"We've got eight days (between games) so that plays into his hands a little bit, but he'll obviously be monitored early on."

West Coast will keep a close eye throughout the week on captain Shannon Hurn, who sat out the final quarter of Sunday's win over the Western Bulldogs with a tight hamstring.

The Suns appear certain to be without promising midfielder Jack Bowes, who hurt his right quad while having a shot at goal midway through the first quarter against the Giants.

Top team Geelong lost ruckman Rhys Stanley to an adductor issue before the first bounce against Sydney, but the Cats coped well in his absence with his replacement, Zac Smith, performing strongly. It's unclear whether Stanley will be fit to face sixth-placed Richmond in what promises to be a finals-type clash at the MCG on Friday night.

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Meanwhile, among the teams who will have a bye this week:

  • Saints defender Nathan Brown also battled a knee problem while fellow backmen Daniel McKenzie and Jonathon Marsh were ruled out with illness.
  • Fremantle key defender Alex Pearce suffered an injury in his lower right leg while kicking in the third quarter against Collingwood. After hobbling from the field, he ended the game on crutches.