HAMISH McIntosh is an outside chance to play against Port Adelaide this Saturday after scans revealed he suffered no more than a bruised and swollen right knee in North Melbourne's loss to the Western Bulldogs.
McIntosh suffered the injury late in the third term of Sunday's game at Etihad Stadium, when he collided with Dogs defender Ryan Hargrave's lower back as he flew for a mark. The North ruckman clutched at his knee immediately and seemed in pain as he hobbled off the ground in the hands of trainers.
North director of medical services Steve Saunders told AFL.com.au McIntosh's relatively minor injury had been the best possible result the club could have hoped for.
PRESS PLAY above to watch the incident | YouTube
"The scans have revealed he's got a very bruised and swollen knee so that's great news," Saunders said.
"There's a clean slate with regard to ligament damage which is fantastic.
"We'll be doing everything we can to try to reduce the swelling as much as we can in the next few days. It's most likely that he'll miss this week given that we've got a six-day turnaround.
"But we certainly expect him to be right for next week [against the Brisbane Lions] and we haven't absolutely ruled him out this week."
Saunders said early reports McIntosh had suffered posterior cruciate ligament damage were incorrect.
"Back in 2008 he completely ruptured his PCL so when he has a collision like yesterday's without a PCL the rest of the joint capsule gets irritated, but there's actually no PCL to injure," Saunders said.
Monday's news would have been particularly welcome for McIntosh after he missed all bar one game last season after surgery on both of his Achilles tendons
VIDEO: Hamish McIntosh interview | YouTube
