Carlton star Sam Docherty will miss the entire 2024 season after rupturing his ACL in Friday night’s thrilling win over Brisbane.
The 30-year-old suffered the injury in a tackle during the first quarter and was subsequently subbed out of the match.
Scans on Saturday confirmed the devastating blow to the much-loved veteran.
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“There is arguably no player in our competition who is more beloved than Sam Docherty,” Carlton GM of football Brad Lloyd said.
“Football becomes almost insignificant when you consider all Sam has endured and overcome over the last few years, this news simply isn’t fair, but as Carlton people we love Sam dearly — we will support him through this so he can return to the field when he is ready.
“It won’t just be the entire Carlton family behind Sam, I can safely say the football world no doubt will be as well.
“His impact on our side will certainly be missed on the field, however his impact on his teammates and on the selfless environment we are creating will continue to be profound right throughout the club.
“Sam will throw his heart and soul into helping his teammates get the best out of themselves because that is just the person he is – and he knows we’ll be right alongside him through every step of his rehabilitation.”
It’s the third time Docherty has suffered an ACL injury after missing the entire 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Docherty has also overcome testicular cancer twice. He was first diagnosed in 2020, but was able to return to the field the following season after undergoing successful surgery.
He was hit with a second cancer diagnosis just nine months later, which lead to a 12-week chemotherapy course.
Docherty again recovered and has remarkably barely missed a game the past two years.
