Star North Melbourne forward Ben Brown is set to spend weeks on the sidelines due to a calf strain, according to The Herald Sun.
The big man left training early on Thursday in discomfort in the hands of club medicos, with scans confirming a strain.
The Kangaroos have not put a timeline on Brown's return, but it could place him in doubt for their round one clash against St Kilda in what would be a major blow, especially given a number of his teammates are currently sidelined.
Skipper Jack Ziebell (calf) has missed a large chunk of the pre-season, Jared Polec (foot) is being managed and Robbie Tarrant (foot) had a recent setback.
Brown has been one of the league's most durable players in recent years, playing 22 games in each of the last five seasons.
The 27-year old is coming off a career-best 64-goal campaign where he finished runner-up in the Coleman Medal.
