PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 18: Dougal Howard of the Power contests a ruck with Zac Clarke of the Dockers during the 2016 AFL Round 13 match between the Fremantle Dockers and Port Adelaide Power at Domain Stadium on June 18, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media)

Port Adelaide ruckman Dougal Howard will miss the next 12 months, with scans confirming he has a ruptured anterior crucial ligament.

Howard sustained the injury during the third quarter of the Power's loss to Fremantle on Saturday.

“In terms of the surgery, it all went well for ‘Dougs’, unfortunately it’s a pretty long road recovering from ACL injuries,” Port Adelaide’s head of high performance Darren Burgess told the club's website.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 18: Dougal Howard of the Power contests a ruck with Zac Clarke of the Dockers during the 2016 AFL Round 13 match between the Fremantle Dockers and Port Adelaide Power at Domain Stadium on June 18, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 18: Dougal Howard of the Power contests a ruck with Zac Clarke of the Dockers during the 2016 AFL Round 13 match between the Fremantle Dockers and Port Adelaide Power at Domain Stadium on June 18, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media)

“It’s too early to say how long the rehab will actually take, but often it’s a return around the 12-month mark.

“He’ll be spending the next month trying to keep the knee stable and rested and from there he’ll progress into a strength and mobility program.”

Howard, 20, made his debut in Round 2 this season and has played six games.

He was selected with pick No.56 in the 2014 National Draft.

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