AFL guns Oliver, Johannisen out with hamstring injuries

Melbourne expect star midfielder Clayton Oliver to be unavailable for the “short term” and Western Bulldogs defender Jason Johannisen will miss at least two months with a severe hamstring injury.

Brownlow Medal fancy Oliver strained a hamstring in the Demons’ four-point defeat to Port Adelaide last Friday night.

He played out the game but is unlikely to recover in time to face Fremantle on Saturday.

Melbourne have a big few weeks ahead as they take on the Dockers, Carlton and flag favourites Collingwood at the MCG before their mid-season bye, then reigning premiers Geelong at their GMHBA Stadium fortress.

“Clayton had some soreness at the end of the game and following a clinical assessment from the physios and the medical team, scans have shown that he’s got a hamstring strain,” Demons high performance boss Selwyn Griffith said.

AAP (C) 2023

Clayton Oliver has suffered a hamstring strain that will sideline the Melbourne midfield star. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)