Richmond champion Dustin Martin will miss just his second AFL game in eight seasons due to injury as he flies to New Zealand nursing a sore calf.
Martin's injury has ruled him out of Friday night's fixture against Port Adelaide and the Brownlow medallist is on Thursday flying to New Zealand to visit his father.
Martin will spend the weekend with his father and then return to Melbourne to resume training next week.
The star onballer has previously missed just one AFL game in his 189-match career because of injury - in 2014 when sidelined by a back complaint.
Richmond's football manager Neil Balme says Martin is expected to miss just the Port game and return against Geelong on June 17.
"He has been carrying it a little bit and he was a bit sore after the weekend," Balme told Macquarie Sports Radio on Thursday.
"He probably could have gotten away with it but we think it's so important he gets that right, otherwise it may become a problem.
"It's not an easy decision, because he loves playing."
Balme said given the time off, Martin's trip to see his father was "too good a chance to miss".
"We expect him to play next week, almost certainly," Balme said.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley made no secret of his relief at Martin's absence.
"It's a good headache not to have, I have got to say - he's the best player in the competition," Hinkley said.
