Fremantle AFL veteran Stephen Hill's hopes of playing round one have been dashed after re-injuring his troublesome quad.
Hill underwent surgery on his left quad in December to remove scar tissue after a number of setbacks.
The 28-year-old was originally scheduled to miss the start of the season, but was progressing so well in recent weeks that he was in the frame to play in round one.
However, an injury at training on Thursday has wiped out those thoughts.
"He had a slight strain, so that's put him back three or four weeks," Dockers coach Ross Lyon said on Friday.
"He was running fit. It was just a kicking issue - slight strain.
"If it was any other player, it would definitely be 21 days. But with Stephen, we'll have to assess it and see if it takes longer.
"He's a bit flat about it. But he's very fit. He's got all his speed. It's just that one area we've got to work through."
Ruckman Aaron Sandilands is battling an ongoing calf issue and is also set to miss the start of the season.
Harley Bennell is in the same boat after two calf scares in as many weeks.
Bennell has been plagued by calf injuries during his four-year stint at Fremantle, but Lyon hopes the former Sun can rebuild his fitness quickly.
"It was frustrating because, on December 16, his output through the midfield was greater than Nat Fyfe's, and Nat had a good summer," Lyon said.
"So that gives you a context to where he got himself to.
"Unfortunately post-Christmas, that's slid a bit in regards to a few of those slight re-occurrences.
"We are hopeful he can ramp his fitness up to that. He ran yesterday.
"He's got to hold himself together. He understands it's a critical period for himself."
Fyfe will miss Fremantle's pre-season clash on Monday with Collingwood after undergoing minor elbow surgery last week.
The skipper is on track to play in the second pre-season game against West Coast, but Lyon says he won't be worried even if Fyfe misses that one.
