Essendon forward Jaiden Hunter has ruptured his ACL, with a mishap at training on Tuesday that is set to see the Bombers' 2023 Mid-Season Draft recruit miss the entire coming season.
Hunter sustained the setback during a match-simulation session this week amid the 21-year-old's first full pre-season with the Bombers.
Hunter was drafted at Pick 9 out of Western Australia through last May's mid-year intake, with the Perth product managing two games for the Bombers' reserves before seeing his first year at Tullamarine come to an end due to a back fracture.
“Jaiden has worked extremely hard over the pre-season to return to full training following an injury interrupted end to 2023, so we are all extremely disappointed for him," Essendon football boss Dan McPherson said in a club statement.
“The incident occurred in an innocuous marking contest during match simulation, where Jaiden was then assisted from the ground.
“Jaiden will undergo surgery in due course, and everyone at Essendon will be fully behind him as he commences his rehab journey.”
The 196cm forward booted four goals in a promising performance against Carlton's reserves prior to seeing his 2023 curtailed.
The ACL injury, which will force Hunter out of action until next year, is a blow to Essendon's forward depth options for the season ahead.
Essendon currently have fringe forwards Harrison Jones and Sam Weideman in the mix to slot into Brad Scott's side and work with leading pair Kyle Langford and Peter Wright, while the Dons used their opening draft selection on promising Northern Knights key forward Nate Caddy.
A host of Bombers have worked through limited pre-seasons so far this summer, with Weideman (Achilles) and ruckman Sam Draper (groin) currently on light duties and looking to build up their workload.
Essendon are scheduled for pre-season meetings with St Kilda and Geelong from late February, with a Round 1 meeting set at the MCG against rivals Hawthorn on Saturday, March 16.