Young Port Adelaide ruckman Sam Hayes has ruptured his ACL and won’t play footy again this year.
The pick 47 from last year’s national draft did the injury during a routine training drill and will undergo a knee reconstruction which is likely to keep out of the game for 12 months.
“It’s really unfortunate for Sam,” Port football manager Chris Davies told reporters.
“He felt some pain in his knee after landing in a marking contest and scans have confirmed he tore the ligament.
“The fact he’s come such a long way this year, from a physical perspective, is testament to the work he’s put in since arriving at the club.
“I know he’ll attack his rehabilitation with the same discipline he has applied to his training, which will give him the best opportunity to be back early in the 2019 season.”
The 18-year-old was drafted from the Eastern Ranges football club and is yet to make his AFL debut.
