Port Adelaide are hopeful they won't be another star midfielder down come Round 1, with captain Connor Rozee unable to finish Friday's intra-club hitout due to a suspected toe concern.
Footage of the session saw Rozee limping from the field before seeking further assessment on the sideline, with the club believing the matter was related to a hurt toe.
The ailment occurred in the first term of the practice match after a tackle from teammate Jason Horne-Francis.
The Power are confident that Rozee hasn't sustained an injury that could hinder his playing prospects for the early rounds of the season, with their skipper not risked for the remainder of the intra-club.
"He's fine. He's all good. He bumped his toe but was all smiles after the game so he's no issue," assistant coach Hamish Hartlett revealed post-game.
"It's honestly a case of it was a little bit sore afterwards but he came off fine. He was upstairs, and absolutely no worries afterwards. He's a guy who has done everything so far in the preseason so it's an absolute zero risk policy with Connor (and) he's good to go."
Small forward Tom Anastasopoulos is also set to be assessed for an ankle injury.
Port Adelaide's season opener against Collingwood is just eight days away, with the South Australian club already set to make the trip to the MCG without a handful of best 23 names.
DEVELOPING: There has been another big injury scare for Port Adelaide on the eve of round 1 with Connor Rozee limping off at the club's internal trial. @joshmoney__ @7AFL #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/25VzLtgcAX
โ 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) March 7, 2025
Reigning best and fairest winner Zak Butters is facing the next five weeks on the sidelines after requiring surgery on his knee in what was a major pre-season blow for coach Ken Hinkley.
Key defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (back) is facing up to 10 weeks on the sidelines with his own setback, while fellow tall backman Esava Ratugolea (knee) is an outside chance to play in the game against the Magpies.
Young ruckman Dante Visentini is dealing with a knee issue too, while tall forward Todd Marshall is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after rupturing his Achilles in the summer.
Port Adelaide will face Collingwood next Saturday at the MCG to open their campaign, with the Magpies to come off their Opening Round clash against GWS.
