MELBOURNE defender Daniel Bell faces an extended period on the sideline after scans on Monday confirmed he has a broken thumb.
Bell suffered the injury while tackling a Western Bulldogs opponent during the Demons' final NAB Challenge match at Casey Fields on Saturday.
Melbourne football operations manager Craig Notman said club doctors would determine whether the thumb needed to be pinned over the next day or so.
"It's safe to say he is out [of round one]; we'll know more once the medicos work out the course of treatment," Notman said.
"It's unfortunate for Daniel; he made it through all the pre-season only to get injured in the last practice match.”
Melbourne received better news on Monday morning with Aaron Davey [bruised heel] and Ricky Petterd [corked hip] moving far more comfortably than they were after the match on Saturday.
"There should be no great dramas with those two," Notman said.
"Ricky's cork hit right on a nerve but he and Aaron were walking around OK this morning."
However, Notman did confirm that ruckman Mark Jamar had been placed on the long-term injury list while he battles to overcome a stress fracture in his foot.
His place on the main list has been taken by Jake Spencer who has impressed in the pre-season and is in the mix for a round-one ruck berth.
Jamar was placed on the long-term injury on Thursday last week and must remain on that list for a minimum of eight weeks. It means the earliest 2009 match he can play is in round seven.
Another player on the cusp of selection for the Dees’ opening match against North Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday, March 29 is lively forward Austin Wonaeamirri.
The 20-year-old injured his hamstring in Melbourne's NAB Cup clash against Hawthorn last month but Notman said his recovery had gone smoothly.
"He has done plenty of work and we are looking for him to play this week in a practice match for Casey against Box Hill," Notman said.
"There are a few other boys we are looking at for that game as well, so we will apply to the League for permission for them to have a run."
The Demons have one other pressing matter on their plate, the report of Clint Bartram.
The 21-year-old was booked by umpire Jacob Mollison for making forceful front-on contact to Daniel Giansiracusa during the fourth quarter of the NAB Challenge match with the Bulldogs.
The match review panel is due to make a ruling on the incident on Monday afternoon.