Essendon coach James Hird says forward Stewart Crameri’s knee injury does not appear serious and he could play against West Coast in a possible AFL finals preview next week.
Crameri booted four goals but left the field in the final quarter of the Bombers’ 67-point mauling of disappointing Brisbane at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
He crashed to the ground and appeared to damage his left knee – adding to the Bombers’ nightmarish list of early-season injuries.
But despite early fears, Hird said medical staff were confident post-match Crameri was not seriously injured, with just bruising to his knee.
“He got a knock to his knee and we all thought the worst up in the box,” Hird said.
“But at the moment, the doctors are very confident he’s got a knock to the inside of his knee and his shin.
“We’ll obviously monitor him over the couple of days, but as much as I can be assured by the doctor he’ll be right next week.”
Hird believes the Bombers’ injury crisis, which claimed seven soft tissue victims in the space of three weeks, is now easing.
Defender David Myers and veteran Mark McVeigh are likely to come into consideration for the West Coast match at Etihad Stadium after overcoming hamstring strains.
“Our injury list is getting shorter, and will be even shorter next week,” Hird said.
“We’ve probably got four or five guys now who are injured, but the guys who are playing, you can’t be happier with them.
“The resilience they’ve shown, and with injuries guys have come in and played their role.
“It’s been really pleasing.”