Speedster Elliott Powell and dangerous forward Jim Grills are battling injuries ahead of the April one home clash against Wodonga Raiders.

The Tigers had already lost three players from the grand final side in siblings Setanta and Aisake O’hAilpin, along with veteran Daniel Maher.

Boom forward Josh Mellington is also suspended for the first six weeks.

Powell showed tremendous courage to play against Lavington after rupturing the Lisfranc ligament in his foot during the second semi.

He underwent surgery after the decider.

“He had the check-ups in January and got the all-clear,” co-coach Shaun Daly said.

“I don’t have a time-frame but early in the season he’ll be back.

“We’re hoping he’ll be back by the first round, but we don’t want to push it.”

Grills is also battling a foot injury, which the Australian polocrosse representative suffered while working his horse.

“He didn’t break it, he just had a slight crack in it,” Daly said.

“Within the first few rounds I would have thought he’d be back, probably not round one, but within the first few rounds if everything goes well.”

And the injury run continues with former Greater Western Sydney player Sam Schulz forced to undergo another operation on his troublesome knee.

“It probably wasn’t coming along as good as he hoped, but he’s had a clean-out and it’s come out really good,” Daly said of the classy midfielder.

“We’re hoping he’ll be right by round one, but if not round one, it will be early in the season as well.”

Schulz ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament at the end of the Giants’ NEAFL campaign in late 2015.

The Tigers will look to become only the third club to win four successive flags, joining St Patrick’s (1921-24) and Wangaratta (1949-52).