Emerging Melbourne key defender Daniel Turner was taken to hospital on Saturday after receiving multiple brutal blows to the ribs in his side's victory over North Melbourne.
The 24-year-old first took a hit to his ribs from teammate Jake Lever in the opening quarter, before his ribs were barrelled again in friendly fire from Demons key forward Matthew Jefferson in the third.
Melbourne coach Steven King spoke after the match and gave an update on the health of Turner and rebounding defender Changkuoth Jiath, who sustained a lower-leg injury.
"Turner's copped a knock, and he is being assessed now. CJ, I think is a lower leg, I'll get a bit more info on it once I catch up with the medical team," King said.
"But they couldn't see out the game, so fingers crossed I'll get more information, and they won't be too bad.
"The poor bugger (Turner) copped a couple of big knocks and just couldn't get out of harm's way there for a bit.
"Brave player, the way he plays. He's unconditional with the way he goes about it.
"He came back on, then got in the wrong place at the wrong time and copped another one. Sometimes in footy that happens and you can't get away from it, hopefully he's okay."
Melbourne has moved into fifth spot on the ladder and remains in proximity to a top four spot with five home-and-away rounds remaining.
For the past few seasons, the Demons have been looking for more attacking firepower in their front half. With key forward Jacob van Rooyen having his best season to date with 37 goals, another key tall in Jefferson emerged as a potent threat against the Roos.
Jefferson, 22, booted a game and career-high 4.1 from his 10 disposals to go along with five marks.
King said players such as the 195cm key forward take time to develop.
"I was thrilled for 'Jeffo' today," he said.
"Jeffo is probably only 15 or 16 games into a career. His body has developed, he is building the profile athletically of what it takes to be a forward. But I think he has had moments this year that have just scratched the surface.
"I think we are all waiting for that breakout game, and you might look at the four goals one (behind) and think here it is, but it was more in his resilience to keep fronting up and launching at the footy and bringing it to ground.
"His defensive pressure for a power forward is right up there at the top level. It was just great to see him go back and reward himself in front of goal, and that was the most pleasing thing today.
"It's significant for him and helped us get the result we are after."
