North Melbourne first-year player Blake Thredgold has been struck down by injury and is expected to be sidelined for the medium term.
The 194cm key defender has been sighted scarcely on the track in recent times, with the club confirming to Zero Hanger he has suffered a Lisfranc injury.
The exact timeline for his return is expected to be confirmed early next week, but to give context to the seriousness of the injury, Demon Jake Bowey is in the midst of a six-month recovery after Lisfranc surgery.
The news follows George Wardlaw leaving Friday's match simulation early, with Saturday scans to reveal the extent of the injury.
North Melbourne selected Thredgold with Pick 26 in the 2025 AFL Draft after a season of steady improvement for Sturt's U18s side, culminating in a best afield performance in the Double Blues' premiership.
"He's a terrific athlete - he's got elite speed and a vertical leap," Kangaroos recruiting manager Will Thursfield said after he was selected.
"He's got super long arms and he can really jump and mark it and not only that, he can defend a player as well."
