Fremantle Dockers star forward Matt Taberner will miss the opening game of the AFL season with a hamstring injury.
It's understood his recovery from the injury could take as long as two weeks, and he will be racing the clock for Round 2, however, it is almost a given that he will miss this Sunday's opening clash with Adelaide.
Fremantle will play St Kilda in Round 2, with the Sunday night timeslot set to give Taberner every possible chance of passing fit for the game.
If he fails to play Round 2, then he should be almost a certain starter for the derby in Round 3 against the West Coast Eagles.
Taberner kicked 37 goals in 16 games last year, becoming the club's leading goal scorer before having ankle surgery at the end of last year.
His disrupted pre-season has now taken another turn, with a hamstring straight reportedly picked up at training.
Should Tabrener miss the game, it'll be a case of going from bad to worse for the Dockers, with Rory Lobb also rated as a questionable chance of taking his spot in the Fremantle forward line on Sunday afternoon at the Adelaide Oval.
He suffered a heavy collision during the Dockers final hit out for the season against the Eagles last year, running into Sam Darcy.
It was reported he struggled to breathe in the aftermath, however, the club are reportedly "confident" he will be able to start the season for the Dockers.