GWS Giants have confirmed midfielder Harry Perryman will be out indefinitely after being taken to hospital following a nasty collision during the second quarter of Sunday's game against the North Melbourne Kangaroos.
The Giants would ultimately record their fourth win of the season against the Roos, moving up the table to 13th spot, but still a distant 12 points out of the top eight during what has been a frustrating campaign which saw a coaching swap just weeks ago.
Leon Cameron's departure had appeared to be doing little for the club, with a loss to Brisbane split by an expected thumping of the hapless West Coast Eagles over the first three weeks under McVeigh.
They made that record two and one on Sunday though, running away from the Kangaroos by 49 points.
However, it's the injury to Perryman which will have the Giants most concerned. Attacking a ball on the wing and with eyes only for the football, he ran into Flynn Perez who made heavy contact with the ribs of Perryman.
He was immediately subbed out of the game and taken to hospital, with the club now confirming the 23-year-old has suffered four broken ribs.
“It’s disappointing for Harry who is always one of our most consistent players but had been excelling in a new midfield role over recent weeks," Giants football boss Jason McCartney said.
“He was typically tough and courageous when he approached the contest where he got injured and unfortunately it will sideline him for a while.
“He’s had great care over the last 24 hours, and we’re pleased he’ll be able to return home later this week. He’ll take it easy for now and we’re looking forward to him returning to the field later in the year.”
Interim coach Mark McVeigh said that while he was happy with his team's attitude, he would have hoped they could have scored more points on the back of their domination.
"Historically, coming off a break, we haven't performed too well over the last few years. I thought the attitude was right there to play the right way," he said after the Roos win.
"It started in the midfield. Our smaller mids got a lot of damage done early although we were being beaten in the ruck considerably.
"But I thought the attitude, especially in the first quarter like we did in Brisbane to really put the scoreboard under pressure was really good.
"That's the point that we've got to get to - we've got to become ruthless.
"We clearly were dominating the game and you'd like to think that you could score a bit more."
The Giants, who have already had their bye, will look to move further up the ladder when they take on the Western Bulldogs, Collingwood Magpies, Hawthorn Hawks and Port Adelaide Power over the next month in what shapes as a stretch with plenty of opportunity for the club.
