GRIFFIN Logue's frustrating injury run has continued, with the emerging Fremantle defender suffering a hamstring setback just as he prepared to return to football.
Logue missed his entire second AFL season last year due to foot and ankle problems but was a standout on the track over summer and appeared primed to have an impact in 2019.
But the 20-year-old Docker remains stalled on 13 games after picking up a hamstring injury in the opening JLT Community Series loss to Collingwood, and is now set for more time on the sidelines.
MEDICAL ROOM The full AFL injury list ahead of round three
"Griffin has unfortunately had a bit of a setback last week," high performance manager Jason Weber said.
"He's probably going to be another two to three weeks from here as he returns to full performance."
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The Dockers have been plagued by hamstring woes, with Connor Blakely, Hayden Ballantyne, Sam Switkowski and Brennan Cox also out of action.
Cox, also 20, went down in the final JLT clash with West Coast and might be available this round, although finding a spot in the senior side could be difficult.
Fremantle fielded four tall forwards – Rory Lobb, Jesse Hogan, Matt Taberner and Cam McCarthy – plus ruckman Sean Darcy last round and struggled to hit the scoreboard, kicking only eight goals in a shock loss to Gold Coast.
Small forward Switkowski played limited minutes in Peel's one-point practice match win over Perth, picking up 12 touches and laying five tackles, while goalsneak Brandon Matera (two goals) put his hand up after being overlooked coming back from suspension.
The Dockers are hopeful Ballantyne will be available for the round four Western Derby, while Blakely is at least three weeks away.
Highly touted draftee Luke Valente (groin) could play his first game this year at Peel in round one of the WAFL season after being forced to adapt his running style.
"Luke has done an extraordinary effort in his program in the past couple of weeks, so we will look to get him to the field this weekend," Weber said.
"Brett picked up an ankle injury the previous weekend playing for Peel. He's just started his return to running and he should back to football from next week."
Veterans Stephen Hill (quad) and Aaron Sandilands (calf) plus Harley Bennell (calf) and Shane Kersten (foot) remain without return dates on Fremantle's injury list.
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