After missing a sizable part of last season with a quad injury, the valuable Lakie strained a calf in their opening round win over Carngham-Linton on Saturday.

In his fourth season with Learmonth, Laidlaw missed most of the first half of 2023.

His setback follows the loss of ruckman James Crilly on the eve of the season.

He dislocated a shoulder in the last training session before round one - forcing coach Jake Dunne much earlier in the campaign than he had planned after being uncertain about his playing future in the pre-season.

Hepburn will have a close watch on star ruckman Sean Tighe, who was inconvenienced by a calf issue late in the Burras' loss to Bungaree.

Rokewood-Corindhap's win over Springbank was also soured a little by injuries to defender Zac Priddle (hamstring) and returning on-baller Sam Carr (ankle).

Injuries arising from round one include:

BEAUFORT

Noah Leckie - fractured cheek bone, fractured eye socket

Tom Murphy - split head, concussion

BUNINYONG

Tyler Mookhoek - concussion

CARNGHAM-LINTON

Charles Patterson- hamstring

Michael Richardson - groin

CRESWICK

Liam Blake - shoulder (AC joint)

Ben Dolan - finger

Aaron Sedgwick - teeth

GORDON

Mark Gunnell - leg

Adam Toohey - shoulder

HEPBURN

Sean Tighe - calf

LEARMONTH

James Laidlaw - calf

James Crilly - shoulder

ROKEWOOD-CORINDHAP

Sam Carr - ankle

Zac Priddle - hamstring

WAUBRA

Lachie Jolly - dislocated shoulder