It's a case of season over for GWS Giants midfielder Finn Callaghan, after scans revealed the ankle injury sustained in the dying embers of his side's loss to rivals Sydney on the weekend is worse than first thought.
After having the sprain assessed, surgery was determined as the best course of action, with that surgery slated for later this week.
The 23-year-old's recovery timeline is set at 12 weeks, meaning he'd be unavailable for selection even in the unlikely event of his side qualifying for the finals for the fourth consecutive season.
The smooth-moving third overall selection from the 2021 National Draft had been averaging an elite 28 disposals a game this season, and had set a new benchmark for goals in a season in his young career, with games in hand.
Callaghan's enforced absence adds to a horror run with injury for Adam Kingsley's side this season.
Skipper-in-waiting Tom Green tore his ACL in the pre-season and missed the entire campaign. Toby Greene faces an uphill battle to potentially ever play for the club that made him a legend again, with a quad strain currently sidelining him ahead of an off-season of consequence - Geelong are one of a few Victorian clubs courting the current captain.
The classy Josh Kelly has not been sighted all year as he grapples with a hip complaint, while bright spark Phoenix Gothard recently saw his season end after a shoulder dislocation.
Walk-up starters Jesse Hogan, Brent Daniels and Jack Buckley are a few more of the names who have struggled for continuity with their bodies this season.
The Giants play Port Adelaide, the Gold Coast, West Coast and Adelaide in the final four fixtures, and sit 12th on the ladder - a win and percentage behind St Kilda, who sit in the final Wildcard spot at the time of writing.
