Star Western Bulldogs midfielder Adam Treloar has been ruled out for 8-10 weeks with a calf injury, while West Coast gun Harley Reid suffered his own injury scare on Friday.
Treloar's pre-season program had already been compromised after he damaged his calf before Christmas, and he was dealt another blow when he strained his other calf last week.
The 31-year-old produced a career-best campaign in 2024 on the way to winning his maiden All-Australian jersey, but the recent injury setbacks means he'll miss the start of the season.
The Bulldogs released a statement saying Treloar sustained an acute muscle strain in his calf that would require him to enter a "rehab model for the next 8-10 weeks".
Over in the West, Eagles star Reid came from the ground with what appeared a leg niggle in the club's extended match simulation session on Friday.
Reid was assessed by trainers and attempted to resume, before returning to the sidelines and having his lower left leg assessed.
The 19-year-old has been carefully managed over the pre-season due to a series of leg niggles and a minor concussion.
Star Eagles recruit Liam Baker doesn't think the latest injury to Reid is serious.
"I spoke to him briefly; it didn't seem too much to me," Baker said.
"He was just maybe a bit sore, that's about it.
"I think there'll be plenty of that happening this year, and the pre-season. He'll be back out there soon enough, I'd imagine."
Baker suffered his own injury scare earlier this week when he rolled his ankle.
"It's not too bad, just a straightforward rolled ankle," Baker said.
"You saw me there hobbling off for about 10 seconds, but after that it was all good.
"I did a bit of running today. If it was game day, I would have gone out there."
Meanwhile, St Kilda's defensive stocks have taken another hit with Dougal Howard ruled out for 12 weeks with a shoulder injury.
Howard dislocated his right shoulder in training earlier this week and is booked for surgery next week.
With St Kilda's season starting away to Adelaide on March 16, Howard is set to miss at least the first six rounds of their campaign.
His absence comes on top of St Kilda losing backman Josh Battle to Hawthorn during the free agency period.
Former Bulldogs defender Zaine Cordy and Arie Schoenmaker are options to cover the loss of Howard in the early rounds.
The extent of Howard's injury comes just days after St Kilda revealed Mattaes Phillipou had suffered a stress fracture in his right femur, ruling him out for the next 14 weeks.
Star ruckman Rowan Marshall could also miss the start of the season due to a stress fracture in his pelvis.
Midfielder Paddy Dow will miss the early rounds after a blister on his foot became infected in December, resulting in him needing three rounds of surgery on his swollen knee.
It's been reported coach coach Ross Lyon spent two hours with Dow in hospital on Christmas day in a show of support.
In better news, Hunter Clark is making strides in his recovery from a groin injury, while Liam Henry (knee surgery) is hoping to return to full training in the coming weeks.
