West Coast Eagles star Elliot Yeo is expected to be available in the early rounds of the season after suffering a calf strain in Friday’s practice match.
However, midfield teammates Dom Sheed and Campbell Chesser are set for longer stints on the sidelines recovering from lower leg injuries.
Sheed was hurt in a tackle against Fremantle and is set to undergo syndesmosis surgery, which is likely to keep him out for the first half of the season.
First-round draft pick Chesser will be in rehabilitation for a similar timeframe and may also need surgery after landing awkwardly and damaging his ankle.
“There’s nobody to blame but we’ve had a bad run of luck on the injury front and unfortunately Elliot, Dom and Campbell all sustained injuries early in the practice game,” Football Manager Gavin Bell said.
“Elliot strained his calf and we expect him to progress back from that to return to play in about a month.
“Unfortunately for Dom his left leg was twisted underneath him in a tackle in the first five minutes of the game on Friday and he will need surgery on his syndesmosis.
“Really disappointing as well for Campbell to suffer a long-term injury in his first game for the club after a promising few months since he joined training.
“He has some ligament and cartilage damage to his ankle that we are continuing to assess but he is likely to miss at least the first half of the season.”
Meanwhile, Connor West has developed some plantar fascia soreness and will be tested ahead of Sunday’s AAMI Community Series meeting with the Dockers at Fremantle Oval.