Dual premiership Lion Callum Ah Chee has seen his torrid run with his body since defecting to the Adelaide Crows continue, after scans revealed yet another hamstring injury for the 28-year-old.
The Crows communicated the extent of the damage on Monday morning, in the aftermath of the side's breathtaking victory over the fancied Geelong Cats on Thursday night.
Ah Chee will miss up to a month with a low-grade hamstring strain, but every precaution will be taken by medical staff at the Crows, given the extensive history of soft tissue complaints overcome by the impactful utility in recent times.
It is the third hamstring injury of the season for a piece brought over from the Lions, in the hopes his starring roles in premiership tilts could push the Crows over the edge, following their straight sets exit from the finals last season, after claiming the minor premiership.
The clash with the Cats was just Ah Chee's fourth appearance for the tricolours since his high-profile move, and he looked to be every bit as good as advertised in the three quarters of game time completed in the contest.
Elsewhere, key defender Jordon Butts sustained a calf strain, with Crows general manager high performance Ian McKeown confirming the 26-year-old will miss "two to three weeks".
celebrates a goal with his team mates during the round two AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval, on March 20, 2026, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
Butts in another with an extensive injury history from years spent playing a combative position in a combative sport.
A punctured lung, concussions, adductor and hamstring strains litter his recent history, with the Crows hoping he can return to full health as soon as possible, given his importance to Matthew Nicks' structure behind the ball.
The Crows travel to Melbourne to face the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night, in a battle of two superstar-laden offensive juggernauts, who both, unfortunately, are battling the scourge of player unavailability.
