Scans have confirmed that Gold Coast Suns youngster Connor Budarick has a ruptured ACL.
The 19-year old suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of his side's clash with North Melbourne on Sunday.
The Suns on Tuesday afternoon announced the devastating injury news in a statement on the club website, stating he will "miss an extended period of time.'
Budarick will see a specialist later this week and have surgery thereafter.
“Unfortunately for Connor he’s ruptured his ACL,” Suns Head Physiotherapist Lindsay Bull said on goldcoastfc.com.au.
“He’ll see the specialist later this week and have surgery this week then we’ll go from there with his rehab.”
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It is a cruel blow for the livewire defender, who made his AFL debut last year and went on to play 15 senior games.
In other injury news at Gold Coast, Sam Day will have scans later today on a knee injury also picked up against the Kangaroos.
There is no timeline on the big man's return to action.
“Sam came off with a knee injury right on half-time unfortunately so was subbed out of the game,” Bull said.
“He’s had some scans today and we’ll consult with a specialist tomorrow about where his knee’s at and we’ll have a further prognosis on that later in the week.”
The Suns will look to win their second consecutive game when they face the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night at 7.50pm AEDT.