St Kilda rookie Eli Templeton’s AFL season could be over after the 18-year-old had surgery on his fractured arm.

The rookie draft selection was injured in last week’s round-six loss to Brisbane in Wellington and had surgery in Melbourne on Monday.

Templeton will remain in hospital until mid-week.

The mop-haired fan favourite from Tasmania and is expected to be out of action for at least three months, the Saints said on their website on Tuesday.

“Eli had made a promising start to his first AFL season after being elevated from the Saints’ rookie list, so to suffer this injury in round six was very disappointing for both him and the club,” St Kilda’s head of football Chris Pelchen said.

“But we are confident the outstanding application that Eli has already shown to his football will see him return to play either later this year or early in 2015.”

The 73kg Templeton has played all six games this season for the Saints, booting four goals and averaging 8.2 disposals.