North Melbourne defender Jackson Archer is set to miss the entire 2026 season after suffering a ruptured ACL injury during the pre-season.
Archer sustained the injury at training in a session on Saturday and will undergo surgery, bringing his year to an end.
The blow follows a luckless 2025 for the father-son selection, who played just three games last year due to a season-ending ankle surgery, as well as serving a three-game suspension earlier in the year.
"North Melbourne defender Jackson Archer has sustained a ruptured ACL during the club's return to pre-season training," a club update read.
"Archer injured his right knee during a session at Arden Street on Saturday, with scans confirming the extent of the injury.
"The club will continue to support Archer as he meets with the medical team this week to work through his rehab program."
Archer has played 26 games in the blue and white since being drafted by the Roos in 2021, developing into a dependable lockdown defender in his short time with the club.
The Roos have seemingly had a clean bill of health during the summer, with only a handful of players listed on modified programs for the pre-season.
Spearhead Nick Larkey has nursed a knee issue, while Cam Zurhaar has been limited by an ankle injury. Brayden George (shoulder) and Luke McDonald (shoulder) were also placed on modified programs.
North Melbourne's pre-season schedule has the club set to clash with Melbourne for a club-organised practice game prior to the Roos' Community Series game with Collingwood on March 1 in Ballarat.
The Kangaroos' 2026 season gets underway against Port Adelaide on Sunday, March 15, against Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium.
