Star Giants recruit Brett Deledio has re-injured his troublesome calf and will miss the start of the AFL season.
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The former Richmond midfielder suffered the setback at training this week after initially being slated to play in next weekend's final preseason game against North Melbourne.
He is now facing several more weeks on the sideline, although coach Leon Cameron said he didn't anticipate the need to put Deledio on the long-term injury list.
"He had six really good weeks with us early and then he hurt his calf a few weeks back and it looked like he was going to get going again but he's re-injured it," Cameron said.
"We'll get to that early next week and work out those timelines. We're disappointed for him - he wants to just get out there and play, and he's such a professional athlete, it was disappointing to cop that news earlier in the week. He won't be playing round one.
"It's always hard when you're a new player coming from another club that wants to get out there and impress.
"I'm really confident that our medical staff are doing all the right things. Yes he's probably had the last year or two where there's been a few setbacks in terms of Achilles, calves, quads and things like that but I'm confident they can get him right."
Deledio was traded to the Giants from Richmond in a last-minute deal in October last year after playing just 11 games with the Tigers in 2016.
He missed Friday night's 12-point preseason loss to the Sydney Swans.
