Travis Varcoe will face a delayed start to 2020 after having a shoulder reconstruction following an injury at training.
Collingwood confirmed on Tuesday that Varcoe would be undergoing surgery, with no date set for his return at this stage.
At 31, it's a tough blow for Varcoe who was unlikely to have a guaranteed place in the Pies' best 22 come round one.
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"The injury is disappointing for Trav, who has put a lot of work in to his pre-season training," Collingwood high performance boss Marcus Wagner said.
"While Trav will miss some early rounds of the season, we’ll have a better idea of his return date once he’s out of surgery."
Varcoe has played 83 games at Collingwood since joining the club in 2015 after 138 games and two flags with the Cats.
He kicked the first goal in the epic 2018 decider but was left out of the Magpies team for their two finals appearances last season.
Collingwood fans will be hoping Varcoe's injury isn't a sign of things to come for 2020 after they endured a nightmare season on that front last year.
The injury to Varcoe potentially opens the door for one of the club's new draftees, with Jay Rantall and Trent Bianco the two front-runners.
Last year's 40th selection in the draft, Rantall has been burning up the track in pre-season, winning the time trials before and after the Christmas break.
Though it's Bianco, who surprised many judges by slipping to pick 45, that may be the most like-for-like replacement, with his leg speed and foot skills sure to excite the Magpie army.
