Essendon star Jake Stringer is no certainty to be available for the start of the AFL season as he manages groin pain.
The 27-year-old match-winner missed the Bombers' intra-club hit-out on Wednesday morning and has all but been ruled out of action for the remainder of the pre-season.
Dylan Shiel also sat out the intra-club match with a tight quadriceps but is a chance to return in next week's practice fixture against the Western Bulldogs.
Bombers football manager Josh Mahoney said the club is hopeful Stringer will be available for their round-one clash with Geelong on March 19.
"Jake Stringer reported some groin pain two weeks ago and after having training modified for a week without significant improvement, it was decided that given the time of the year we would take this time to get it fully right," Mahoney said.
"Jake will take the opportunity for a week of rest before building back up over the next few weeks.
"It is unlikely that Jake will play in a pre-season game."
Shiel could return against the Bulldogs on February 23 or the official pre-season fixture against St Kilda on March 5.
"Dylan Shiel experienced some quad tightness at training late last week but scans have cleared him of serious damage," Mahoney said.
"He will be modified at training this week missing the intra-club and remains a chance to play next week against the Western Bulldogs, if he continues to improve."
Stringer and Shiel were interested onlookers at the intra-club match, where top draft selection Ben Hobbs (No.13 overall) ran through the midfield.
Aaron Francis has trained with the forwards over summer and was deployed in attack, where he is expected to spend more time this season, while ball-magnet Andrew McGrath started at half-back.
