Carlton star Tom De Koning is set for a stint on the sidelines after suffering a collapsed lung and a fractured foot, with the Blues ruckman in hospital following Sunday's win over North Melbourne.
The Blues faced an anxious wait on the fitness for De Koningย and Sam Walsh (back) after a bruising encounter against the Roos, with De Koning's setback assumed to be a foot injury that hampered him throughout.
The Blues managed to hold off a plucky and improved Kangaroos outfit by 19 points at Marvel Stadium, but not without its concerns.
De Koning limped off during the first quarter after having his foot stepped on and was rushed down to the change rooms to assess the damage.
The 25-year-old eventually returned to continue his battle with Tristan Xerri but a hit from his opponent late into the match has left De Koning with a punctured lung.
The club has confirmed De Koning will undergo surgery on a fractured foot that will place him on the sidelines until the end of the home and away season, meaning any potential return in 2024 will rely on a finals finish for the Blues.
โAs tough as the news is for Tom, first and foremost we are pleased he is feeling okay and recovering, following his treatment in hospital overnight,โ Carlton General Manager of Football Brad Lloyd said.
โTom reported symptoms of being unwell within half an hour of the game finishing, so the priority for us was immediately ensuring he got the treatment he needed and he is now recovering with the appropriate care around him.
โTom will undergo surgery this week to correct his foot injury, which we expect will sideline him for the remainder of the home-and-away season, and we will continue to monitor his recovery over that period of time.โ
Walsh copped multiple knocks to his back, an area of his body that he's had troubles with in the past, and will also face tests ahead of Friday's meeting with Port Adelaide.
Key forward Harry McKay passed a concussion test after receiving a whack to the nose, wingman Blake Acres was subbed out with a few "bumps and bruises" while defender Sam Durdin's (calf) return to AFL footy was "taxing".
However, Blues coach Michael Voss was confident they would all pull up well in light of a five-day turnaround.
"We've got a few that we need to assess," Voss said post-game.
"They got through the game OK, but they just needed a few checks.
"'TDK' (De Koning) was treated and went back out there, and Walshy got kneed in the back so we've got to see how that settles.
"He's (Walsh) had a direct knock there so as far as I'm aware that's all it currently is.
"And with Durdin as well, it was almost like welcome back to AFL footy, hasn't played footy for a while.
"It was a pretty taxing game."
Voss also ticked off the protocol followed for McKay's head knock, despite the key forward remaining on the ground and slotting a goal shortly after.
Carlton's return to the winner's list has them sitting second on the ladder and one eye on a top-two spot.
As it stands, the Blues only face one side (Port Adelaide) that is inside the eight from their remaining five matches, with contests against Collingwood, Hawthorn, West Coast (away) and St Kilda to come.
