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THE INJURY toll at Collingwood has reached epidemic proportions after five more Magpies were added to an ever-lengthening casualty list that threatens to derail the club's premiership hopes.

The Magpies' medical room is now overflowing with the AFL's longest injury list, from which it's now possible to name a phantom starting 18.

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In the fallout from a brutal loss to flag fancy Richmond at the MCG on Friday night, the wounded Pies have likely lost both their best player Jordan De Goey (hamstring) and promising youngster Isaac Quaynor (foot stress injury) for multiple weeks each, while star midfielder Taylor Adams (hamstring), full-back Jordan Roughead (concussion) and Tom Phillips (collarbone) are under clouds.

Jordan de Goey has suffered a low-grade hamstring strain. Picture: AFL Photos

The carnage started pre-game when Adams withdrew with hamstring tightness, just six days after he'd returned from a 10-week adductor issue. Adams remains in the frame to take on bottom team Gold Coast at the MCG on Sunday, although the Pies might well take a conservative approach given his recent history.

Just when the wounded Magpies could ill afford to lose another key defender, Roughead suffered a bout of concussion after the ball was kicked into his head, followed by another friendly-fire knock in an aerial duel, forcing him to sit out the second half.

The ex-Bulldog, perhaps the best value recruit of the year, will need to pass a series of tests before being passed fit.

And it emerged on Sunday that De Goey has sustained a low-grade hamstring strain and Quaynor has experienced a foot stress reaction – injuries that will ground both for at least the next 10 days.

Exacerbating matters, wingman Phillips is also believed to be nursing a sore collarbone.

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In contrast, the Tigers' premiership campaign is back on track apart from one key component – Trent Cotchin's hamstring.

Midway through the first quarter, the 2017 premiership captain suffered his third hamstring problem for the season and didn't return. The club believes it's only a minor issue but it remains a serious concern leading into the finals.

Cotchin has played just nine of 18 games so far this season and at the very least won't be available to lead his team against Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night.

A resurgent Greater Western Sydney will monitor the progress of the versatile Adam Kennedy, whose return from a heart scare was postponed when he was withdrawn from the clash with Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

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The Giants also hope young defender Sam Taylor will be available for the clash with Sydney at Giants Stadium on Saturday after experiencing hamstring tightness in the one-point win over the Power. Taylor left the field in the second quarter and sat out the rest of the contest.

Third-placed Brisbane is also crossing its fingers on the welfare of a talented young backman in Alex Witherden, whom coach Chris Fagan reported had "felt something sort of pop" in his upper calf or behind his knee.

Lions defender Alex Witherden finished Saturday's match on the bench. Picture: AFL Photos

Lions key defender Marcus Adams copped a late head knock and forward Daniel McStay sustained a corked hip, but Fagan expected both to face the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba on Sunday.

The Dogs will be without veteran defender Dale Morris, who is expected to find out on Monday if he has suffered a third anterior cruciate ligament tear in his left knee in the space of just 17 months. 

In his first AFL game this season, the 36-year-old endured two disturbing moments – in the first and the third quarters respectively – when his knee buckled under him as he tried to change direction. The 2016 premiership hero didn't return after the latter incident, which caused emotions to spill over for some Bulldogs fans.

In other developments:

  • Fremantle defender Luke Ryan suffered a right hamstring issue in the third quarter of the loss to the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Sunday and looks set for a stint on the sidelines.

  • Hawthorn forward Tim O'Brien (calf soreness) was a late withdrawal for the clash with Brisbane in Launceston but could return to take on North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.
  • Kangaroos speedster Shaun Atley is under a cloud after hurting his right knee in a final-quarter collision with West Coast forward Jack Darling in Perth on Saturday.
  • St Kilda's Blake Acres left the field with a right shoulder problem in the last quarter but returned to play out the game against Melbourne on Saturday night. He must be in some doubt for the clash with Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
  • Carlton could regain runner Zac Fisher (illness) for its encounter with West Coast at Marvel Stadium on Sunday after he was a late withdrawal from Saturday's game against Adelaide.
  • Blues teammate Matt Kennedy tweaked an ankle in the first quarter but returned in the second term and played out the match.

  • Melbourne playmaker Christian Petracca appeared to be sore in the lower back early in the last quarter but continued on until the final siren.
  • Sydney young gun Oliver Florent (hip flexor) was a late withdrawal for the game against Geelong at the SCG.

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