Collingwood star Adam Treloar has suffered a left hamstring injury that could sideline him for the Magpies' big season opener against the fellow 2019 finalist Western Bulldogs.
Treloar was best-afield with a game-high 34 possessions in the Pies' 40-point win over Richmond at Wangaratta on Sunday, but left the field and didn't return after stretching to mark on a lead on the wing midway through the last quarter.
In 2018 Treloar sustained hamstring injuries in both legs in the same incident and although this problem doesn't appear to be anywhere near as serious his absence would further weaken a midfield already missing Dayne Beams (mental health).
"I think it's a little nick," Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley told reporters post-match.
"Late in the game he overstretched going to a low one, so we think there's probably going to be a little bit of a disruption there."
Asked whether the injury would rule Treloar out of the round one encounter with the Bulldogs, which will take place just 19 days after the Wangaratta game, Buckley was non-committal.
"Don't know. We'll find out when we get there," he said.
In better news, Buckley said veteran key forward Ben Reid was "good" despite being subbed out by halftime.
The Magpie coach was pleased with his team's efforts to defend and pressure Richmond, particularly in the first and last quarters when the Pies outscored the Tigers with a combined tally of 10.3 to just 1.2.
"It was a largely positive day for us to see some of the stuff come together. We've still got plenty of room for improvement," he said.
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The Pies are building greater midfield depth with forwards Jamie Elliott, Jordan De Goey and Callum Brown running on the ball at various times. This depth will likely need to be called upon if Treloar is sidelined.
"We feel like we've got some guys in there that have got the attributes to do damage around stoppages (who) may not have been exposed to it as often in the last couple of years," Buckley said.
The Pies coach was also happy with the ruck combination of former Swan Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox in the absence of Brodie Grundy, who played in the State of Origin for Bushfire Relief game on Friday night.
"Darcy showed today what we recruited him for. He's a very strong aerial player, took some plucks inside forward 50 and kicked a couple of goals as well as getting around the ground. His ruckwork has probably been better than even we'd hoped for," Buckley said.
"He's actually asked a question of Brodie Grundy and Mason Cox with our centre bounce work in particular and has made those guys better in the process."
Buckley expects Jaidyn Stephenson to play St Kilda at Morwell next Sunday after pulling out of the Wangaratta clash for personal reasons.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said Collingwood was having its third hitout against another club while the Tigers were having their first, and that it showed.
"They looked a hell of a lot cleaner in and around the contest. We've got some work to do in that area. They were a class above us today … It's always good to get a kick up the backside when it's for zero (premiership) points," he said.
The reigning premier will select its strongest available team for their clash with Greater Western Sydney at Wagga Wagga next Sunday, ahead of their season-opener against Carlton.
Ruckman Toby Nankervis and Jack Graham will likely play in the VFL next week.
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