The Gold Coast suns have confirmed young defender Connor Budarick has ruptured his ACL after a collision during Saturday's loss to Collingwood.
Budarick was involved in a collision in the fourth quarter and quickly left the field, with the Suns confirming on Tuesday that scans have confirmed a major injury for the 21-year-old.
The defender is set to miss the rest of the 2022 season with the injury, confirmed by Gold Coast's head physiotherapist Lindsay Bull.
"Further assessment of Connor’s knee confirmed he’s ruptured ACL, which will require surgery to repair,” Bull told Suns media.
“It’s really disappointing news for Connor who injured the same knee early in the 2021 season.”
“We’re all behind Connor as he begins his recovery and we know he will attack his rehab with full conviction as he has done in the past.”
Budarick has played nine games for the Suns this season, averaging 15 disposals and 2.4 tackles per game. The young gun made his debut in 2020, a season in which he played 15 games, after being selected with pick 16 in the 2019 rookie draft.