FREMANTLE star Hayden Young has suffered a repeat hamstring injury and will miss the Dockers’ season-opener against Geelong.
Young, who suffered a low-grade hamstring injury earlier this month, was set back further after a repeat incident while training on Saturday.
“Scans have revealed a minor re-strain of his previous injury, unfortunately this will rule Hayden out of round one,” executive general manager of football Joe Brierty said.
“We are still finalising timelines and we will be able to see how he progresses over the next fortnight.
“We expect to see Hayden returning in the early rounds of the season.”
It has been an interrupted pre-season for Young, who suffered a pre-Christmas knock to the fibula he fractured in last year’s final round, escaping with bone bruising.
The skilful and tall midfielder became the longest contracted player in the AFL in December when he signed a deal through to the end of 2033.
Young’s absence could create room for gun draftee Murphy Reid, whose impact at centre bounces made him a star in the Dockers’ final intraclub last Sunday.
Meanwhile, scans for tall defender Josh Draper have revealed a low-grade hamstring injury that will rule him out of the Dees clash on Sunday, with the 21-year-old to be tested ahead of round one.
Captain Alex Pearce will undergo a fitness test ahead of Sunday’s final tune-up as he returns from an ankle injury.
