North Melbourne rising star midfielder George Wardlaw has suffered a high-grade hamstring strain, after leaving match sim training on Wednesday.
Wardlaw will not return to full training for 10-12 weeks, per 7News' Mitch Cleary, in a frustrating setback to his third year in the AFL system, leaving him likely to miss Round 1.
The Roos were participating in a block of four 20-minute periods of match simulation to develop Alastair Clarkson's gameplan ahead of his third season in charge of the club, when Wardlaw was struck with the soft tissue injury.
It is Wardlaw's second hamstring injury since joining North Melbourne, although he also had extensive injury concerns in his draft year.
Wardlaw had previously fallen victim to a hamstring injury in Round 18, 2023, sidelining the top-ten draft pick for three weeks.
In the midfielder's draft year, Wardlaw battled more hamstring concerns, with a return to playing self-admittedly "too early", causing the soft tissue to reinjure and rule him out of further weeks in his draft season.
Assistant coach Leigh Adams spoke to the media post-training with a concerned outlook on Wardlaw's availability for Round 1, although the club will await the results of scans being undertaken today.
"It looks like a hamstring. We're not sure about the severity, he's going to get a scan now," Adams said.
"He's done 90 per cent of the pre-season, he's been really fit and strong ... it's a shame he'll probably miss some footy."
Teammate Harry Sheezel said he was "shattered" for his fellow 2022 draftee.
"We'll wrap our arms around him," Sheezel said on Wednesday.
"He's worked so hard on his body the last few years to get it right.
"It'll be hard for him, but I know his professionalism and I have no doubt he'll keep working hard.
"He was so fit and firing and ready to go. Hopefully it won't be too long and he'll still be able to show that this year, but we're shattered for him."
Training following the long-weekend break has caused injury carnage across the AFL world this week, with a multitude of key players ruled out of practice matches or weeks of the home and away season following the dial-up of match simulation.
Jordan Ridley suffered a minor hamstring strain at Essendon, while St Kilda were dealt the blows of Dougal Howard (shoulder) and Mattaes Phillipou (leg), with the latter ruled out for approximately three months.
Richmond draftee Josh Smillie also fell victim to a minor hamstring strain, as Eagle Elliot Yeo fortunately avoided an ACL rupture, but is unlikely to be seen in Round 1.