Port Adelaide are optimistic young duo Xavier Duursma and Zak Butters have avoided serious injury following the Power's thrilling two-point win over Richmond on Friday.
Initial fears suspected Duursma may have suffered significant damage to his ACL, with, coach Ken Hinkley hoping scans show a more minor diagnosis.
Xavier Duursma left the field in the hands of the trainers after this passage. #AFLPowerTigers pic.twitter.com/fAuJObZN4U
— AFL (@AFL) April 9, 2021
Butters also suffered a knee injury in the second half of the match and was eventually subbed out of the game after several tests.
Speaking post-game, Hinkley revealed there were some promising signs early for the duo of casualties.
โThere was a bit going on out there in the carnage. Thereโll be a couple we need to assess, so I canโt give you updates,โ Hinkley said, perย Fox Footy.
โWithout being too optimistic, weโre positive (Duursma) might not be the worst case with a knee injury โ and we all know what that is, an ACL. It doesnโt mean itโs not, but at this stage, thereโs some optimism around that, because they do some tests initially.โ
๐ INJURY ALERT
Zak Butters (AF $618k SC $488k FWD)@PAFC coach Ken Hinkley: "We'll scan him & see how he is. There's was a bit of knee & ankle. When we get the information you'll know straight away." #AFLFantasy #SuperCoach #AFL
— Honeyball AFL ๐ฏ (@HoneyballAFL) April 9, 2021
The Power were also hit with setbacks to defender Tom Clurey (cork) and forward pair Connor Rozee (cork) and Orazio Fantasia (ankle).
Thursday's win places the Power in the top-four for the time being, sitting with a 3-1 record after the opening month of action.
Port Adelaide are set to face Carlton next week before clashes against St Kilda, Brisbane and arch-rivals Adelaide.
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