Promising St Kilda defender Nick Coffield has been confirmed to have suffered a season-ending ACL injury.
The 22-year-old injured his right knee during match simulation at training on Friday and was forced from the field.
Coffield played 16 games in 2021 as he battled injury and form struggles, but was set for a positive season until bad fortune struck.
"Nick had been doing everything right this pre-season and we were really looking forward to seeing what he could achieve this year," Saints chief operating officer Simon Lethlean said.
"This is a big blow to Nick, but we know he’ll be doing everything he can to get back out there as soon as possible.
"While this is a significant setback, Nick has the full support of the entire club as he attacks his rehabilitation."
Coffield was drafted with pick 8 in the 2017 AFL Draft and has played 52 games in the four seasons since.
In 2020, the intercept defender has the best season of his career, finishing fifth in St Kilda's best and fairest.
It's the second year in a row the Saints have been hit with a year-ending injury in pre-season, with Ben Paton breaking his leg during match simulation in 2021.
