The Western Bulldogs have received some good news following injury concerns after their pre-season win over North Melbourne, with Taylor Duryea, Ed Richards and Hayden Crozier all cleared of serious injury, per AFL Media.
The trio failed to play out the game on Saturday, with Duryea sent to hospital after hurting his neck in a tackle, but has been cleared of any damage and returned to the club on Monday.
Richards suffered a corked quad in the second term and was sidelined for the remainder of the match, while Crozier didn't see out the four quarters after suffering a compound dislocation of his finger. The 29-year-old was also sent to hospital but was discharged on Sunday, expected to return to training in the coming week.
It isn't all positive for the Dogs though, with Cody Weightman (adductor) and Jason Johannisen (calf) racing against time to prove their fitness ahead of Round 1.
The Dogs will face Melbourne in their season opener, meeting at the MCG on Saturday, March 18.
Elsewhere, North Melbourne have been handed an injury blow on the eve of the season, with young gun Cam Zurhaar suffering a calf strain.
Zurhaar featured in the pre-season match, but didn't return after half-time after suffering the strain. The club confirmed on Monday through general manager of football Todd Viney that the 24-year-old will be on "light duties" throughout the week, not confirming his status for Round 1.
“Cam will be on light duties and monitored closely over the next week. It will be a matter of waiting to see how he responds, then progressing his rehab as his symptoms allow,” Viney said.
The club also confirmed that Callum Coleman-Jones has been dealt an injury blow, suffering a partial tear of his left plantar fascia during the VFL on the weekend.
North didn't provide a timeline on his recovery, but confirmed Coleman-Jones will remain in a moonboot for a "short period".