Hartlett injures knee

STAR Port Adelaide defender Hamish Hartlett is facing a long break on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury at training.

Port football manager Chris Davies said the 27-yearold suffered suspected damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee yesterday during a routine training drill. “This is obviously a terrible blow for Hamish and the football club,” Davies said.

“Hamish had started the season well and we saw last weekend what a courageous and skilful player he is.

“It was an innocuous incident that caused the injury. He went to change direction and his leg gave way beneath him.

“We fear Hamish won’t be back on the field for some time but, no doubt, he’ll continue to contribute as a leader of our football club.”

The 27-year-old Hartlett had played all five matches this year for a career tally of 153.

ESSENDON’S Josh Begley’s season is over after scans confirmed the young forward tore his anterior cruciate ligament on Anzac Day. Begley twisted his knee in the first quarter of the Bombers’ 49-point loss to Collingwood and will undergo a knee reconstruction next week.