RICHMOND will likely need to dig even deeper into its already stretched reserves of reinforcements for the big clash with Fremantle in Perth on Sunday as injury clouds swirl around brilliant forward Daniel Rioli and tough defender Nick Vlastuin.

Rioli's left thigh, hip and ribs were hammered in a collision in a marking contest midway through the first quarter of the Tigers' loss to the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

After receiving treatment, Rioli showed further courage to return to the fray to enable his team to rotate more freely, despite clearly playing with great discomfort.

Vlastuin limped off with an ankle problem just before quarter-time but returned to be one of Richmond's best players on a dirty night.

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Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said Vlastuin suffered a similar injury to that of sidelined key backman David Astbury but rated him a "probable" starter against the Dockers.

In better news, Astbury is set to return after missing just one game. He will be a welcome addition to a team without leaders Trent Cotchin (hamstring), Jack Riewoldt (knee) and Alex Rance (knee).

Geelong will sweat on the availability of Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield and big man Esava Ratugolea after the pair attracted attention for the wrong reasons in their team's win over Essendon on Sunday.

A banged-up Dangerfield is battling a left knee problem and Ratugolea suffered concussion.

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Dangerfield received treatment on his right ankle in the first term. Returning to the action as a deep forward, he landed awkwardly in a marking contest in the second quarter, hurting the inside of his left knee.

Dangerfield left the field and had the knee strapped, and played out the game under duress.

Superstar Patrick Dangerfield chats with coach Chris Scott after the game. Picture: AFL Photos



In the third term, Ratugolea copped a knee to the head in a ruck contest with Bomber Joe Daniher and took no further part in proceedings.

Essendon's bid to arrest a two-game losing streak against Sydney at the SCG will be strengthened if speedy playmaker Orazio Fantasia overcomes a virus that has rendered him a late withdrawal in the Bombers' past two outings.

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The Swans have problems of their own with midfielder Harry Cunningham set to miss multiple games with a groin/adductor injury and the lively Tom Papley copping a thunderous blow to the ribs via the knee of Brisbane big man Oscar McInerney but showed guts to return to the field.

Tom Papley has been assisted from the ground after this contest with Oscar McInerney.#AFLLionsSwans pic.twitter.com/2gsHbazHGq — AFL (@AFL) May 4, 2019

A middling Hawthorn will be anxious about the fitness of vice-captain Isaac Smith, who left the field late in the loss to Melbourne with a left foot problem. His speed and leadership will be required if the Hawks are to challenge Greater Western Sydney at the MCG on Sunday.

The Giants could be without defenders Adam Kennedy (concussion) and Aidan Corr (ankle) but are expected to regain star trio Josh Kelly (adductor), co-captain Phil Davis (ankle) and Lachie Whitfield (thigh).

Ouch!@gwsgiants defender Adam Kennedy walked off the field with trainers by his side after this marking contest.#AFLGiantsSaints pic.twitter.com/R7lihfzmpy — AFL (@AFL) May 4, 2019

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In other developments:

Carlton defender Liam Jones was knocked unconscious after an accidental clash of heads with North Melbourne player Cameron Zurhaar as he took a courageous chest mark. Jones' likely enforced absence would leave the depleted Blues further exposed defensively against the powerful Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday. Meanwhile, Zurhaar was treated for a cut head.

Liam Jones has been stretchered off and Cam Zurhaar is being treated on the bench after a heavy clash.#AFLBluesNorth pic.twitter.com/l3UHYE4nDB — AFL (@AFL) May 5, 2019

Port Adelaide runner Brad Ebert is in doubt for the Showdown against Adelaide on Saturday night after copping two head knocks against Collingwood, resulting in concussion in the third quarter.

is in doubt for the Showdown against Adelaide on Saturday night after copping two head knocks against Collingwood, resulting in concussion in the third quarter. St Kilda defender Jimmy Webster played out the loss to the Giants with a suspected broken hand, so is unlikely to face West Coast at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

played out the loss to the Giants with a suspected broken hand, so is unlikely to face West Coast at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. Eagles ruckman Tom Hickey was a late withdrawal from the game against his first club Gold Coast with a minor hamstring strain but is expected to recover to play his second club St Kilda.

Collingwood onballer Taylor Adams sustained a left adductor/groin injury in the third term. Likely to miss multiple games.