Carlton coach Mick Malthouse will miss Friday’s opening AFL pre-season game in Perth because his wife is undergoing surgery.
Nanette Malthouse is having investigative surgery on her abdomen the same day.
The club said the nature of her health issue is unclear.
Malthouse’s long-time assistant and Carlton director of coaching Rob Wiley will take his place for the NAB Challenge match against West Coast.
“Mick and Nanette are long-time friends and together with everyone at the football club, I am thinking of them,” Wiley said in a club statement.
“We will do whatever is necessary to support Mick and his family at this time and we are looking forward to having him back at the club next week.”