Patrick Dangerfield, Jason Horne-Francis among five first half injury blows in Port and Cats clash
Updated . First published at
Port Adelaide have been hit by three major injury blows against Geelong, with two hamstring injuries among the list.
Jason Horne-Francis left the field with a hamstring injury in the first quarter before Lachie Jones did his late in the second after running away from Jeremy Cameron and delivering a handball.
Josh Sinn was also subbed out in the first quarter after copping a knee to his hip by Geelong's Mark O'Connor.
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It wasn't just Port under siege with injuries.
Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield was gone with his own hamstring injury in the second quarter. Jack Bowes also suffered the same injury.
Patrick Dangerfield and Jason Horne-Francis. Fox Footy
Dangerfield played for 45 minutes, and Bowes was on for 24.
"I can't recall ever seeing as many hammies in one game," Mark Riciutto said on Fox Footy at half time.
Ahead of the third quarter, Port coach Ken Hinkley was asked when was the last time he had only two on the bench after one half of football.
"I don't know that I can remember to be honest and they were pretty early unfortunately but that's the game of footy," he said.
Post-game, Geelong coach Chris Scott said Dangerfield's hamstring injury was more minor than Bowes'.
"We were thinking through Dangerfield in the mid-season period, so likely what it means for us is he'll miss a week or two more than we had planned in this period leading into the bye," he said.
Jeremy Cameron also suffered a tweak during the game but Scott said there was no risk in letting him play on.
Hinkley revealed in his press conference that all his players are expected to be out for an extended period.
"We'll wait and see what the scans say, we're not in the position to say one, two or four week hamstrings, particularly with Lachie and Jason," he said.
"It was a significant hamstring day, slippery conditions, weather, all those things you have to consider. It seems a bit too coincidental to have all four in the first half too, very early in the game. The conditions, the temperatures are part of it, but you wouldn't think not too big a part.
"They're pretty fit athletes all these people playing."
Josh Sinn in agony on the ground. Getty
Commentators speculated the high rate of injuries may be down to the cooler weather.
The temperature in Adelaide sat at 13 degrees, with wind making it feel like 10.
"I know we've been blessed by hot weather (this month) but we have a cold snap," Ben Dixon said on the sideline.
At half time, Geelong led 5.3 (33) - 3.6 (24).
The injury carnage hit Port Adelaide hard as the Cats went on a rampage in the second half.
Geelong finished with a 17.13 (115) - 5.9 (39) win.
