Port Adelaide have been dealt a major AFL injury blow with another foot injury set to sideline Paddy Ryder for up to six weeks.
Scans have revealed the Power ruckman suffered Achilles tendonitis during Port’s 50-point victory over Fremantle on Saturday.
Assistant coach Matthew Nicks told FiveAA radio on Monday that Ryder would miss four to six weeks.
Arguably Port’s most important player, Ryder has a history of Achilles injuries and will be difficult to replace for a side which lost Jackson Trengove and Matthew Lobbe during the off-season.
The 30-year-old was in a moon boot at the club’s Alberton headquarters on Monday.
Brisbane’s Daniel Rich also faces an extended spell on the sidelines after hurting his ankle during Saturday’s loss to St Kilda.
News Corp Australia on Monday reported the half-back had suffered ligament damage which could sideline him for six weeks.
Geelong’s Harry Taylor (plantar fascia) and Hawthorn’s Ryan Burton (ankle) are in some doubt for the Cats-Hawks Easter Monday blockbuster.
Both players failed to return to the field after copping early injuries during their round one clashes.
The Cats are set to regain star onballer Patrick Dangerfield after he missed Sunday’s match with a hamstring strain.
Star Carlton ruckman Matthew Kreuzer struggled with a groin injury after halftime in Thursday night’s loss to Richmond.
The most serious injury from round one was the second anterior cruciate ligament rupture of Tom Liberatore’s AFL career.
The Western Bulldogs midfielder suffered the injury to his right knee, while the same injury to the left knee sidelined him for the 2015 season.
Liberatore will have another reconstruction on Monday evening, ending this season for him as well.