Luckless North Melbourne forward Mason Wood could miss the first month of the AFL season with a hamstring injury.
Wood missed the last eight games of the 2016 season with a knee injury and will be sidelined for six to eight weeks after sustaining the new injury at training on Friday.
"We're obviously hoping to have him available as quickly as possible but every step will be taken to ensure he can recover properly and then have an impact for us for the remainder of the year," North football manager Cameron Joyce said.
The emerging forward has only played 16 games in the past three seasons, but is set to become a key cog in North's recast attack.
The Roos made the decision to move on veteran forward Drew Petrie at the end of last season, with coach Brad Scott keen to give greater opportunities to younger players like 23-year-old Wood.
North also did not offer Brent Harvey, Nick Dal Santo and Michael Firrito new contracts.
Wood's injury continues a run of bad injury luck for North, with Jed Anderson (shoulder), Taylor Garner (hip) and Sam Wright (ankle) also in danger of missing round one.
Meanwhile, back-up Western Bulldogs ruckman Tom Campbell hurt an ankle during Saturday training.
It was reported that Campbell hobbled from the field and his ankle was iced.
Earlier this week, frontline Bulldogs ruckman Jordan Roughead needed hamstring surgery and is out of action for eight weeks.
The Bulldogs are hopeful that Campbell's injury is minor.
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