Fremantle defender Heath Chapman is likely to miss the start of his side's 2024 campaign after suffering a hamstring injury on Saturday.
Chapman took part in the Dockers' intra-club session but wouldn't get through unscathed, with the 22-year-old reporting a hamstring concern in the second term of match sim.
Chapman's latest setback could force him to spend more time on the sidelines after an interrupted first few seasons in purple.
The young defender underwent scans, with the result reportedly a moderate strain.
Dockers football boss Joe Brierty placed his support behind the fourth-year stopper on Saturday.
โIt's disappointing for Chappy who's had such a great pre-season after a frustrating year with injury,โ Brierty said in a club update.
โWe will now wait for further information and our focus will be on giving Heath all of the support he needs and his teammates will get around him.โ
Chapman played just three games in 2023 due to hamstring and shoulder injuries that curtailed his campaign by April.
The local product was a shining light in his second season with the club after cementing his place in Justin Longmuir's side to play 17 games at senior level, averaging 18.59 disposals and 3.06 rebound 50s.
Chapman's injury comes just over a month away from Fremantle's season opener against Brisbane at Optus Stadium, with a high-grade strain likely to see him miss the March 17 encounter.
A minor strain would still likely rule Chapman out of the Dockers' first practice game of the pre-season against West Coast later this month, with a potential return coming the following week when Fremantle make the trip to Alberton to face Port Adelaide.
