Scans have confirmed that Port Melbourne utility Kaine Baldwin has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
Baldwin suffered the right knee injury in the Borough's VFL Preliminary Final loss to Geelong on Sunday.
The former Bomber has dealt with multiple injuries throughout his footballing career, having previously injured his knee during his junior days in the lead-up to his draft year.
Baldwin returned to football in 2026 after two years on the sidelines with a persistent navicular foot injury.
Scans confirmed AFL aspirant and Port Melbourne utility Kaine Baldwin suffered an ACL rupture.
He sustained the injury in the Borough's preliminary final loss to Geelong.
The former Bomber was looming as an AFL pick-up after a stellar season in the VFL.
More @zerohanger— Aidan Cellini (@aidancellini4) September 17, 2026
He began impressing AFL clubs throughout the season, playing successfully at both ends of the ground, and earned a spot in the VFL Team of the Year squad.
Baldwin took on some of the league's best key forwards, but when he spent time inside 50, he slotted 36 goals, kicking majors in all but four games in 2026, warranting top-flight interest.
He spent time at Essendon in 2022 and 2023, but was limited to eight AFL games due to injury and limited opportunities at the senior level.
Baldwin's latest setback does place a hindrance on his AFL ambitions, which still live strong after his stint at the Bombers.
"I've never really had an opportunity to fully, fully fulfil sort of the potential of what my body can do, just because I've been sort of stunted at different points," Baldwin told Zero Hanger leading into the Preliminary Final clash against Geelong.
"I think just this year, the experience of being at both ends of the ground for a big sort of majority of the year, like I played the first five games of this year down back, and then have had pretty well played forward for the rest of the year.
"I think that's a real weapon, and being able to be adaptable and flexible and fluid with that. Even when I was at Essendon, I played a couple of years forward, and a couple of years back. I probably think my best football at an AFL level is probably as a backman. I definitely feel confident that I can play well at the standard and thrive at the standard if given an opportunity."
