A training injury a week out from Round 1 has sidelined Port Adelaide forward Ollie Lord for the opening rounds of the 2024 season.
Lord "landed heavily in a marking contest" during the club's session on Saturday and subsequently underwent scans that showed an impaction fracture in his leg and bone bruising on his knee.
The Power and Lord will consult a specialist next week to determine whether the 22-year-old will require surgery on his leg, which could significantly delay his start to the new season.
"Key forward Ollie Lord will be sidelined for a period of time after sustaining an injury during training on Saturday," a club update read.
"Lord landed heavily in a marking contest, with scans showing high-grade bone bruising on the knee and an impaction fracture in the tibia.
"The 22-year-old will consult a specialist in the coming days to determine whether surgery is required.
"Lord will miss the start of the season, with a timeframe for return to become clear soon."
Lord played 13 games for Port Adelaide last year, making his debut in Round 6 against West Coast at Adelaide Oval.
The Victorian booted 15 goals for the season before inking a two-year extension over the recent off-season.
Port Adelaide are already without Quinton Narkle (back), Kyle Marshall (back), Hugh Jackson (hip) and Tom McCallum (ankle) for the opening rounds of the home and away season.
The Power will host West Coast in South Australia next Sunday afternoon as both sides get their new campaigns underway.