Geelong captain Cameron Ling says the decision to substitute him out of Friday night's AFL win over Collingwood should save him from missing any football.

Ling was subbed out after dislocating his shoulder midway through the third term, a decision Cats' coach Chris Scott later said was a mistake, as the injury was not as bad as first thought.

But Ling said while he probably could have returned, the move could help him take his place against Carlton at Etihad Stadium this Friday night.

"I think I could have played on, structurally it's fine," the Cats' skipper told the Seven Network's AFL Game Day.

"Usually they dislocate forward. This one tried to go back, which is a good result.

"So I probably could have played out the rest of the game.

"But in hindsight, it was probably a great result. I didn't have to risk hurting it more and hopefully it means I'll be fine for Friday night."

Cats' key forward Cameron Mooney is also expected to be available, after missing the Magpies clash with a knee injury.

Collingwood defender Alan Toovey is likely to be out of Sunday's Etihad Stadium match against Adelaide with lung bruising.

Toovey was crashed into by the knee of high-leaping Geelong forward Tom Hawkins, while running with the flight of the ball into a marking contest, but escaped any bone injuries.

Essendon have injury concerns ahead of their clash with Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night.

Captain Jobe Watson will have scans on Monday, after being subbed off with hamstring soreness during Saturday night's win over Brisbane at the Gabba.

Key forward Michael Hurley was a late withdrawal from that match with calf soreness and is in serious doubt for the match against the Tigers.

The Bombers could also lose midfielder Heath Hocking to suspension, after he appeared to elbow Brisbane's James Polkinghorne to the head in an off-the-ball incident.

Melbourne have been hard hit by injury ahead of Saturday's clash with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

The Demons are expected to lose defender Colin Garland for several weeks with an ankle injury, suffered during Saturday's loss to North Melbourne, while midfielder Rohan Bail is likely to miss a month or more after injuring his posterior cruciate ligament.

Melbourne were already missing ruckman Mark Jamar (knee), defenders Jack Grimes (foot) and Jared Rivers (ankle) and midfielder Tom Scully (knee) to injury and Jack Trengove to suspension.

They could also lose utility Lynden Dunn to suspension, after he was reported for rough conduct, for sliding into the head of North's Daniel Pratt.

Struggling Port Adelaide are set to lose key forward Jay Schulz, after he injured his hamstring in Saturday night's big loss to Sydney.

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