Didak likely to miss season opener

Concern ... Didak only played 12 games last season due to persistent injuries. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Collingwood forward Alan Didak seems likely to miss Round 1 because of a hamstring strain.

Didak has joined stars Luke Ball (knee) and Dale Thomas (ankle) on the sidelines with the trio facing a race against time to be fit for the clash against North Melbourne on March 31.

Didak appeared in Collingwood's first intra-club match a fortnight ago but did not feature in either the NAB Cup first round or last Friday's intra-club game.

Thomas, who had ankle surgery, is listed as three to four weeks away, while Ball hopes to play in Round 3 of the NAB Cup.

Young ruckman Brodie Grundy is six weeks away because of a back problem.

Meanwhile, Melbourne midfielder Sam Blease has an ankle sprain that will keep him out of action for 4-6 weeks.

But scans have cleared Demons forward Chris Dawes of any damage to his calf, while James Frawley could play this week despite suffering a head cut against Richmond that required plastic surgery.

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