Leopold will take no risks with captain Marcus Thompson after the star midfielder suffered bone bruising to his ribs during the win over Colac.
Lions football boss Hamish Easton confirmed the injury to Thompson, who on Tuesday accepted a reprimand for rough conduct on Tiger on Luke Cardinal that was followed by a melee in which clubs were fined $675 each.
He will miss at least this week’s trip to Lara.
“The scan showed no internal (injuries), which is terrific for us,” Easton said.
“He’s got some bone bruising around his ribs, so he’ll miss this week.
“Then we’ll see how he progresses … they can be a couple of weeks, they can be three or four.
“We’re not really sure, but we’re not going to risk it.”
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Leopold will also be without Tev Nofi for the meeting with the improving Cats.
The Team of the Year defender has a minor hamstring injury.
“We think that’s on the lighter side with Tev, which is nice,” Easton said.
“He may miss one or two, but probably one and see how we go.
“He’s a quick healer, Tev.”
In better news, off-season acquisition Tate Porter returns after missing the Colac clash, while Tom Feely’s time in the concussion protocol has concluded.
The former Geelong VFL player hasn’t been sighted since suffering a knock in the opening-round win over Geelong West.
“It’s not like-for-like, but they’re quality ins,” Easton said.
Easton is hopeful Jake Pitt (calf) and Riley Stone (back) will return for the clash with Grovedale next week, while Billy Ritchie (hamstring) is at least another week after that.
Recruit Jake Edwards, who joined the club from Park Orchards in the Eastern League, will pull on a Leopold jumper for the first time when he lines up in the reserves.
He’s been sidelined since suffering a knee injury in the practice match against St Mary’s the week before the season started.
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