Collingwood

The Magpies' medical room is now overflowing with the AFL's longest injury list, from which it's now possible to name a phantom starting 18.

In the fallout from a brutal loss to flag fancy Richmond at the MCG on Friday night, the wounded Pies have likely lost both their best player Jordan De Goey (hamstring) and promising youngster Isaac Quaynor (foot stress injury) for multiple weeks each, while star midfielder Taylor Adams (hamstring), full-back Jordan Roughead (concussion) and Tom Phillips (collarbone) are under clouds.

Reports emerged last week that up to 11 Collingwood players have tested positive to illicit drugs in hair tests during the off-season.

It has led to a wide-ranging debate about the AFL's new illicit drug policy, and raised concerns about the confidentiality of the results.

At half-time on Saturday they were humming "here we go again".

The Bulldogs' speed and skill had spirited them to a six-goal lead and made the opposition look flat-footed. For their part, the Magpies' calamitous kicking had the effect of quite literally shooting themselves in the foot.

There were reports on Tuesday that Howe had caught his middle finger in the ground while playing catch with his girlfriend and dog last Tuesday.

He underwent surgery, where medical staff inserted two screws in the lower part of his finger.