MELBOURNE’S Sarah Lampard has suffered a devastating blow, with scans confirming a tear in her anterior crucial ligament.

The defender sustained the injury to her left knee during the third quarter of the Demons’ loss to Carlton at TIO Traeger Park in Alice Springs on Saturday night.

It is the second time Lampard has been struck down with an ACL, having suffered a similar injury to her right knee back in 2018.

“It’s obviously a devastating blow for Sarah, particularly given it’s her second ACL injury,” AFLW Football Manager Daniel McPherson told Melbourne Media.

“Sarah is an incredibly hard worker, and it’s really tough to see her faced with this outcome again.

“She is a terrific character, and a great leader within our playing group. We are confident her resilient nature will get her through the challenges ahead, and we will be doing everything we can to support her along the way.”

Meanwhile, scans have cleared Sinead Goldrick of any major damage to her quadriceps.

The Irish recruit, who sat out the second half on Saturday night, suffered a corky and will be managed throughout the week.