Essendon's slide to rock bottom after a disastrous loss to Richmond has been compounded by injury carnage with captain Andrew McGrath set to undergo surgery on his badly broken jaw.
McGrath was one of three players taken to hospital from the MCG on Friday night, along with teammate Archie May (ribs) and Tigers forward Tom Lynch (throat).
The Bombers also lost Sam Durham (concussion) and Matt Guelfi (hamstring) in their 10.14 (74) to 7.14 (56) defeat, which sent them crashing to last place on the ladder.
McGrath was discharged from hospital early on Saturday morning after scans confirmed the fracture, and will have surgery in the coming days.
He will miss Essendon's crunch clashes with West Coast (away), Carlton and Melbourne ahead of their mid-season bye.
