On a night where nothing went right for his side, Damien Hardwick's defensive stocks took a hammering both on the scoreboard and in the medical report.

Integral defenders Noah Balta and Nathan Broad both suffered hampering injuries, however, the perceived the pair are set to return at very different intervals.

For Broad, a suspected syndesmosis injury cruelled a night in which his side posted their lowest score at the MCG since the 1927 Grand Final.

No official timeline has been set for his likely sidelining.

For Balta, his 2021 campaigned appeared to end in the third-term when he knee buckled beneath him whilst trying to clear the Sherrin from his defensive 50.

Speaking after the Tigers' shock 40-point loss, Hardwick feared the worst for the 21-year-old and told the media throng via video link that "it doesn't look great" for Balta.

"I don't like to speculate but it doesn't look great at this stage which is disappointing for the lad, but once we get further details we'll pass that on but it looks disappointing at this stage," Hardwick said.

"It looks that way [like an ACL] but once we have that confirmed we'll pass it on."

The sterling Saints may have been all smiles as they made their way off the MCG after conceding their lowest score since 1971, but they too didn't escape Friday night's clash unscathed.

Out-of-contract midfielder come forward Jack Billings was a late out after having his week interrupted with a twisted knee that he collected in training on Wednesday.

The impending free-agent's omission was confirmed to be merely precautionary, with Billings likely to return for St Kilda's clash with Collingwood next week.

His replacement in the side, the elevated medical sub Nick Coffield, also ended his night on the sidelines after straining his hamstring.

Although the soft tissue injury will stifle the young Saints' ability ton get on the park, coach Brett Ratten stated that on first inspection the ailment was only mild and that Coffield could return within the space of a fortnight.