Brisbane have revealed new recruit Tom Doedee has suffered a significant setback in his bid to return to the field, sustaining further damage to his ACL just days out from his expected comeback game.
The Crow-turned-Lions defender has suffered a partial tear to his ACL following an incident at training on Tuesday.
Doedee, who suffered a ruptured ACL midway through last season, was in line to play against Collingwood on Thursday night in what would have been his Brisbane debut and first AFL appearance since last June.
Lions football boss Danny Daly said it was a heartbreaking outcome for Doedee, who will require an extended period on the sidelines.
“It's incredibly heartbreaking for Tom, and everyone at the Club is really feeling for him,” Lions General Manager of Football Danny Daly said.
“Sport can produce some of the most amazing moments, but in cases like this it can also be extremely cruel.
“Tom is a fantastic person who has already become a highly popular member of our Club, and everyone was excited to see him so close to making his comeback.
“He has shown he is the ultimate professional by doing everything he could to recover from his ACL, which we have all admired, and I have no doubt he will treat this injury the same.
“Everyone at the Brisbane Lions will continue to give our full support to Tom and his family.”
Doedee is set to meet with a surgeon before learning the full extent of the injury and his subsequent recovery process.