Wangaratta star Michael Newton injures hamstring against Raiders

Pies' coach Luke Morgan stressed it was a precautionary move, but given the Doug Strang medallist's hamstring history, he admits he's naturally nervous.

"Yeah, it's a little bit of a worry of course," he said.

"It was a bit precautionary we took him off.

"We'll get it assessed this week, he doesn't think it's too bad.

"His initial thoughts are he hasn't done it."

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The latter half of Newton's 2017 season was dogged by hamstring trouble.

He originally suffered the injury against Wodonga on July 29 and then didn't play until the qualifying final against Yarrawonga, where he aggravated the problem.

Newton played the grand final against Albury and won the Did Simpson Medal with a superlative eight goals, although he again did his hamstring late.

Newton had showed his class against Raiders, kicking four goals to set up a 35-goal lead at half-time against a team striving desperately to sneak back into the top five.

It was the former AFL forward's first game in seven weeks since tearing his pectoral muscle against Lavington on May 4.

Newton is generally considered the league's best player because when he's firing his marking power and accuracy can prove almost too much for opponents.

Depending on the results, the Pies could face a tricky dilemma.

With seven rounds left, the one-time red-hot favourites trail third-placed Myrtleford by a game.

However, if Newton is forced out, the Pies have winnable games against teams outside the five in Yarrawonga and Corowa-Rutherglen, prior to the representative bye.