Richmond’s near-faultless run into the AFL season has hit a snag, with defender Bachar Houli ruled out of Thursday night’s clash with Carlton.

The dual-premiership star suffered a calf injury at a training session on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old will have scans to determine how long he will be sidelined.

Houli played 22 games last season, the rebounding half-back earning All-Australian honours for the first time as the Tigers snared their second premiership flag in three years.

The injury is a rare setback for Richmond, who have enjoyed a relatively casualty-free preparation.

Jack Graham (shoulder), Toby Nankervis (adductor) and Kamdyn McIntosh (ankle) were all due to push their claims for a round one berth in a VFL practice match against Coburg last Friday.

But that game was cancelled as the clubs grappled with the evolving implications of the coronavirus crisis.

Kane Lambert was concussed in the second pre-season match against GWS but will have had nearly a fortnight to recover by the time round one kicks off.

Jack Higgins was ruled out from round 18 last season after a shock brain bleed diagnosis but he made his competitive return against Collingwood in the club’s first pre-season hit out.