Overview
- Port Adelaide key defender Esava Ratugolea was stretchered from the MCG late in the third quarter of Saturday's loss to Collingwood after injuring his right knee in a marking contest and was taken to hospital.
- The club has reported a suspected ruptured patella tendon and coach Josh Carr said Ratugolea is expected to have surgery overnight and could be sidelined for about 12 months.
- Ratugolea had been playing one of his best games, recording 10 intercepts and six intercept marks before the injury, forcing Collingwood to alter its game plan at half-time.
- The incident also cost Port Ewan Mackinlay, who suffered a suspected MCL strain and is expected to miss up to two months, while Jack Lukosius left earlier with a calf issue that remains under assessment.
- The injury compounds Ratugolea's earlier season knee surgery and creates immediate selection and rehabilitation challenges for Port Adelaide as they regroup for coming matches.