Premiership Lion Kate Lutkins will miss the remainder of the 2022 AFLW season after the club confirmed the worst for the key defender, while forward Dakota Davidson will miss at least one month with a foot sprain.
Lutkins suffered a ruptured ACL during Sunday's loss to Adelaide in the opening moments of the match after awkwardly landing on her knee, with the 33-year-old now sidelined for the rest of the season.
The triple All-Australian joins the likes of Magpies midfielder Brianna Davey and Bulldogs forward Isabel Huntington in suffering ACL injuries in the opening round of the AFLW season.
“It’s obviously difficult news for Kate and the Club, and we’ll rally around her to provide her with our full support during her recovery,” Brisbane Women's football boss Breanna Brock said.
“Kate’s got a great support network of family and friends keeping her spirits high, and she’s already looking forward to the challenges that rehabilitation will bring.”
Davidson is set to miss the next 4-5 weeks after suffering a foot sprain that also ended her Sunday evening against Adelaide.
Following a sensational in 2021 that saw Davidson boot a league-high 16 goals, the news compounds the concerns for Brisbane's premiership defence.
“It’s an unfortunate injury for Dakota, but she’s in good spirits and we’re hoping she can tackle her rehab head on to return to play sooner rather than later,” Brock said.
The Lions will be looking to bounce back against Carlton in Round 2 as they search for their first win of the season.
