Injured Port star Butters to miss at least six weeks

"The injury was likely a result of a heavy knock to the knee, which also caused some bone bruising," a club statement said on Friday.

Butters, who has won the past two best-and-fairest awards, was expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks, the club said.

The dynamic midfielder reported soreness a day after last Friday's match simulation against Adelaide, having copped a knock to the knee at training in weeks prior.

The Power's premiership season opens against Collingwood at the MCG on March 15.