Fremantle Defender Steven Coops could miss the opening two matches of the AFL season because of a shoulder injury sustained during the ATSIC Chairman's All Star Team's victory against Carlton early this month.

Dockers coach Chris Connolly said the high-flying Coops had strained muscles around his shoulder in the first quarter of the match and could be out for up to eight weeks.

He will miss Fremantle's opening pre-season cup match against the West Coast Eagles this Friday night at Subiaco Oval.

"Steven Coops has hurt his shoulder up in Darwin and he is going to be out for six to eight weeks with that injury.

"But I want to make it clear that from the Fremantle Club's point of view, we supported the Aboriginal game one hundred percent and our views haven't changed on that, and injuries like that could occur in practice games."

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