Bulldogs superstar Sam Darcy left the AFL world gravely concerned after going down with what appeared to be a serious knee injury at Kardinia Park.
The 22-year-old key forward, who is tipped to achieve greatness in the sport, collapsed in a heap with no one around him during the second quarter of his side’s 131-56 defeat to Geelong Cats on Friday night.
He clutched his left knee as he hit the ground, and was quick to bang the ground in frustration.
Instantly, Richmond legend Matthew Richardson admitted on the live coverage: “That’s not good, I feel sick, actually. He put some weight down on it and it collapsed under him.”
On Kayo Sports’ Friday Night Football, Gerard Whateley added there were “gasps across the football world” and that there was a “sickening sense of deja vu,” — referencing the season-ending ACL tear Darcy’s father, Luke, suffered 21 years ago at the same ground.
Sam also had to recover from a fractured knee last year.
The young prodigy did manage to get back to his feet and hobble off the field, but could not put any pressure on his left leg.
Melbourne icon Garry Lyon said: “It was so dramatic and so severe, and he’s a tough kid and we’ve been here before.
“We all held our breath last year at Marvel and he got away with it on that occasion and he got back in six weeks. We can only hope.”
The Bulldogs have provided an update but refuse to confirm just how severe the injury.
Dogs’ football boss Matthew Egan said: “It’s obviously a pretty serious knee injury and the mechanism didn’t look great, but we just can’t confirm everything.
“Unfortunately I’ve been here before and I’ve said ‘we think it’s a serious knee injury and we think ACL’ and it wasn’t.
“So we need to be positive and just wait for the scans.”
Leading sports physio Brien Seeney took to social media to have his say on the severity of the injury, reacting: “Can see that left calf ripple as the tibia snaps back into place.
“Have almost always seen that come back as an ACL tear (this is not a diagnosis, just an analysis of the video).”
Footy fans were also quick to take to social media to voice their concern for Darcy — who has 12 goals and 64 disposals so far this season.
John Donohoe said: “That is absolutely heartbreaking for Sam Darcy! Looked horrific!Hopefully we see him bigger and better in 2026.”
BroBro added: “That’s not good for Sam Darcy. Not good at all.. Hoping it’s not an ACL.”
Jaz responded: “My heart breaks for Sam Darcy. He’s such a great player. I hope whatever is wrong with his knee heals quickly.”
And Michael Willson said: “Hate seeing the games best go down. Fingers crossed for Sam Darcy.”
It was a nightmare night for the Bulldogs as Rory Lobb, Tom Liberatore, and James O’Donnell all followed Darcy in being forced off with injuries.
