Scans have confirmed Melbourne defender Jake Lever requires a season-ending knee reconstruction.
Lever was injured in the first quarter of Melbourne’s win against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.
“It is disappointing news that Jake will miss the rest of the 2018 season,” Melbourne’s football manager Josh Mahoney said.
The 22-year-old left Adelaide after last year’s losing grand final and had just started hitting his straps with the Demons.
“Jake has displayed the type of form we recruited him for, he has been an integral part of our team’s recent winning form,” Mahoney said.
“Although we will be without Jake for the rest of the season, his absence creates an opportunity for another defender to come in.”
Melbourne sit in third spot on the AFL ladder with a Queen’s Birthday fixture against Collingwood next Monday.