Bruce (hamstring) and Bate (ankle) were both injured in last week's loss to West Coast and will not travel to Darwin for the game against the Power.
Coach Dean Bailey said the pair would most likely miss the one week.
"Brucey pulled up really well on Monday - it (the hamstring injury) is a bit back-related as well," he said.
"Neither of them will play this week but [Bruce] was doing things in the gym on Monday and Tuesday that would suggest it's not as bad as first thought."
Bailey said similar fears were harboured about Bate when his ankle swelled badly after being rolled in the loss to the Eagles. However, he was able to put weight on it sooner than expected but will still require a week on the sidelines.
The news is better for small forward and Darwin native Austin Wonaemirri, who could be in line to play his first AFL match in 21 months after impressing in recent displays for VFL side Casey Scorpions.
Wonaemirri missed all of last year with knee and hamstring injuries and Bailey said he would consider him for selection.
“We’re tempted with Aus. His form over the last couple of weeks hasn’t been too bad. He has had good game time and his GPS has been quite good. He would be in the mix to be fair,” he said.
The Demons have been exploring methods of handling Darwin’s heat and humidity and Bailey said two crucial factors to take into consideration are the slippery ball and hydrating players.
“It’s going to be like a cake of soap, I think. We’ve trialled a couple of things during the week with players wearing a glove and wristbands as well, trying to prevent the sweat running all the way down your arms to your hands,” he said.
“With the humidity you sweat and lose fluid. Being hydrated is something we push with the players. That’s the theme from the boys coming from the Northern Territory as well.”
Bailey said he would look at requesting that Demons’ Darwin games come as a lead-in to the mid-season break in future years.
“It gives you time to spend a little more time in Darwin and promote the game up there," he said.
"It will be something we raise at the end of the year. Most clubs get an opportunity to put forward their requests for fixtures. I think that’s something we could raise."
