Essendon ruckman Matthew Leuenberger is expected to miss the opening two games of the season because of a hamstring injury.

The 28 year old hobbled from the field during the opening quarter of Sunday’s match against Geelong in Bendigo.

“He was following up from a ruck contest, he was bent right over the football, got some pressure from behind and felt a pulling sensation as he stretched over the ball,” High Performance Manager Justin Crow said. 

“He actually ended up playing a few minutes after that but eventually came off with his hamstring sore.

“We’ve had it scanned and it’s a medial strain which is the inside of the hamstring.

“He’ll be back in full training in three weeks and then probably looking to play that week.”

Shaun McKernan took over the majority of the ruck duties during the match with Geelong.

He gathered 21 possessions, had 19 hit outs and kicked three goals (including one super goal).

If McKernan were to play in the round one blockbuster against Hawthorn he would need to be promoted from the rookie list.

Essendon has two spots available with David Myers and Jordan Ridley already placed on the long-term injury list.