Melbourne Demons have a number of injury problems ahead of the start of the season, with defenders Steven May and Michael Hibberd among those affected.
The Demons, who are 7/2 to successfully defend their AFL Premiership title, still have another run-out against Carlton before the new campaign gets under way.
However, a number of key players will miss that game, although the Demons remains hopeful that a majority will be ready for the big kick-off.
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Performance manager Selwyn Griffith told Melbourne Media: "There's a few players that pulled up a little bit tight after the game (against the Kangaroos). Steven May and Michael Hibberd had a little bit of tightness following that game.
"We gave them every opportunity to be available for the Carlton game, unfortunately they'll miss this match, but will be ready for Round 1.
Rivers and Petty sidelined
"Trent Rivers finished the game, but the following day presented with a little bit of knee soreness, and with follow up imaging we found that he's got a low-grade PCL strain. So he'll miss the next three to four weeks, but is progressing well.
"Harrison Petty, who's recovering from the surgical intervention on the calf corky that he had, is progressing well and has integrated into running He'll look to return to performance in the next three to four weeks.
"And Christian Salem had an incident where a player fell across his knee. We gave him every opportunity to be ready to play against Carlton, but unfortunately he’ll miss this week as well, but will be ready for Round 1."
