Collingwood fears star midfielder Adam Treloar will miss round one after injuring his hamstring in Sunday's 40-point win over Richmond at Wangaratta's Norm Minns Oval.
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Treloar took a low diving mark on the wing at the 10-minute mark, landing heavily.
He winced as he regained his feet before taking the kick and heading to the interchange bench.
The 26-year-old headed to the Pies' rooms with doctors and was spotted later in the quarter with ice on his left hamstring.
"I think it's a little nick late in the game, overstretched going for a low one, so we think there's going to be a little bit of disruption there," coach Nathan Buckley said.
I think it's a little nick late in the game, overstretched going for a low one, so we think there's going to be a little bit of disruption there.
- Nathan Buckley on Adam Treloar's hamstring injury
The Pies meet Western Bulldogs in the season opener on Friday, March 21, so Treloar now has little time left.
Buckley was further quizzed that given 21 days is the 'normal' time for a hamstring, Treloar could run out of time.
"Dunno, find out when we get there," he said.
It was the only injury either team suffered and while the game was still in the balance, although the Pies held a 16-point lead, you could sense Buckley's frustration and disappointment.
"What you want out of these games is to get a sense of the things you've worked on through pre-season and get through unscathed injury-wise, but that might not prove to be the case," he said.
Treloar had been one of the game's best players, collecting 34 disposals and seven clearances.
The pre-season clash between two of the league's powerhouses again proved a winner with 7164 fans, although many were surprised it wasn't bigger given the traffic prior to the match.
The Tigers play their annual season opener against Carlton on March 19.
The two North East combatants will then meet again just a week later with a Thursday night blockbuster between the premiers and Pies, who were pipped in last year's preliminary final.
