Knee rupture may rule Blues star out for year
CARLTON copped a massive blow with star defender Sam Docherty suffering a serious knee injury that is likely to rule him out for next season.
Docherty, 24, ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while running at a pre-season training session.
With veteran midfielder Bryce Gibbs traded to Adelaide last month, Docherty was among a core of key Blues the club was relying on to begin their climb back up the ladder after four straight years in the bottom six.
Docherty, who finished second behind skipper Marc Murphy in the club’s best and fairest this season after topping the tally last year, will be given traditional reconstructive surgery in the next few days before beginning his rehabilitation program.
Head of football Andrew McKay said the club was shattered for Docherty, who was a potential captain in waiting.
“As we commence our preseason campaign, the news of Sam’s injury is incredibly disappointing for everyone, but foremost for Sam,” McKay said in a statement.
“Sam is a total professional and a resilient young man and we know he will face his rehabilitation process with the utmost dedication.”
Docherty, who earned his first All-Australian jersey this year as a defender, was looking to shoulder more responsibility in the midfield after the departure of Gibbs.
Docherty has played 92 AFL games.
He started his AFL career with one season at the Brisbane Lions in 2013.