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In the lead up to each round of finals, leading sports medico Dr Peter Larkins will take an in-depth look at the players under injury clouds at each club.  

ESSENDON
The big discussion point was going to be whether Jake Carlisle would get through training with his hamstring but he won't play on Saturday night. His MRI scan on Monday showed the swelling and fluid around the minor strain hadn't resolved so he's at high risk of breaking down in the game and at training. If they win, he'll only be an outside chance to play the following week.

David Myers had an upper respiratory infection and was unable to play against Carlton but will be available for selection this week.

Dyson Heppell played with padding and a glove on his broken left hand after his surgery from the week before. He got through the game and played well so there shouldn't be any concern over him.

Mark Baguley was heavily concussed in the last 10 seconds of the game. He'll undergo concussion assessments throughout the week but I suspect he'll be available.

Dustin Fletcher is unlikely to be in contention if the Bombers win. He's had the pin taken out of his finger joint – he had a reconstruction of the dislocated joint and repair of the tendon – but is still unlikely to play next week if Essendon beats North Melbourne.

FREMANTLE
Michael Johnson clearly played with discomfort last week from a chronic disc problem in his back and will have decompression surgery for the disc and nerve pain. He won't play again this year.

Michael Barlow made a good comeback from his broken thumb and got through, while the concern over Matthew Pavlich was put aside when he played well despite having a sore quad the week before.

Luke McPharlin is a liability with his chronic calf concerns and I don't believe he'll be in serious contention this week, although Freo clearly are depleted in defence with Johnson also unavailable now.

GEELONG
Steve Johnson is in week three of his foot stress problem and I'm sure the Cats would like more time, but it's such an important game, I think he'll play. He'll probably be sore and the bone stress isn't completely gone, so if Geelong has to play for three consecutive weeks it could be a real problem. He will need to modify the midweek load and I wouldn't expect him to train much. He's at risk of getting more pain, but I think they'll go with him this week.

James Kelly landed awkwardly on his left ankle in the third quarter against the Brisbane Lions and had it strapped. It's the medial side, which takes longer to settle, so he may have some on-going soreness this week, but I would expect him to play with physio treatment and strapping.

The Cats rested Steven Motlop, Hamish McIntosh and Allan Christensen as part of their 'management' program and all three will be ready for Friday night's qualifying final against Hawthorn.

HAWTHORN
Brian Lake was struck over the front of his hip on Friday night and had severe pain and appeared to lose power down the leg for a while, which was probably a combination of nerve pain, muscle inhibition and bruising on the bone. He won't  do a lot of running early in the week but the signs were positive after the first 24 hours - he may still have bruising and soreness, but I'm confident he'll play.

The Hawks also managed players last week. Luke Hodge had some soreness in his knee from a knock a few weeks ago but he'll be right to return Friday.

Brad Hill, who had a cork in the quad and was given the Pies' game off because there would have been some concern about him aggravating it, will play.

Matt Suckling and Ben Stratton are the interesting ones. Stratton's had a corked calf and there's some risk it will become injured again while Suckling's been managing a sore left knee. Both will be tested this week but remain in some doubt to play. The Hawks will decide based on their training late in the week.