COLIN Garland will miss the 2017 season after it was confirmed that he had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.
Garland, 28, suffered the knee injury while playing for Casey Demons against Port Melbourne at Casey Fields on Sunday. It happened in the final quarter.
General manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said Garland would be sidelined this year.
“Unfortunately, scans have confirmed that Col has ruptured his ACL,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“He will meet with a surgeon to discuss his options today (Monday) with the most likely option being that he will miss the year.
“After a disappointing season, last year, Col had completed a very good pre-season and set himself up for a good season.
Garland has played 141 matches for Melbourne since 2007.
Originally from North Hobart/Tasmania U18/Tasmania (VFL), Garland was drafted at No.46 in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft.
A NAB AFL Rising Star nominee in 2008, Garland finished second in Melbourne’s best and fairest award in 2013.