Melbourne forward Shane McAdam has ruptured his Achilles and will require surgery, with no clear timeline for his return.
McAdam was assisted from the training ground during the Demons' Friday session at Casey Fields.
The former Crow was sent straight for scans which revealed the horrific news, with Melbourne GM of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson providing an update.
"Shane went to accelerate during match play on Friday, and has unfortunately ruptured his Achilles tendon in the process," Richardson said.
"This is an incredibly disappointing outcome for Shane, who was starting to get some real momentum and confidence in his body, following a strong pre-season.
"Shane will meet with a surgeon in the coming days, with the view to undergo surgery. From here, we will have a greater understanding of what his recovery timelines will look like.
"We will wrap our arms around Shane and fully support him throughout this next period."
The timeline of an Achilles rupture injury can vary, but it's likely that McAdam will miss the majority of the 2025 season, which could open up a spot on Melbourne's list.
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Former West Coast midfielder Jai Culley signed with the Demons' VFL unit but has been training with the senior side, placing him in the frame for an AFL recall.
Culley was delisted by the Eagles at the end of 2024.
