Sydney ruckman Sam Naismith's horror run with injuries has continued after the Swans confirmed the ruckman suffered an ACL tear during Thursday night's loss to the Bulldogs.
Two Bulldogs, including young star Aaron Naughton, also left the field prematurely during the Dogs' 28-point win in a low-scoring match.
In a statement released on Friday afternoon, Sydney's general manager of football Charlie Gardiner confirmed the news, saying it was the same knee Naismith injured in 2018.
"It is terrible news for Sam and really disappointing for the team," Gardiner said.
"He will see a surgeon next week and we will then lay out next steps from there.
"Our thoughts are with Sam at the moment and we will wrap our arms around him as he gets on with his recovery."
Speaking to the media after the match, Swans coach John Longmire said Naismith's run with injuries had been "terrible".
"He's missed two years of footy and comes back and plays round one and plays really well," Longmire said.
"He lost his sister through that (shutdown) break and then he comes back and does his knee. It's a terrible run for him."
It is Naismith's second ACL tear, after the big man first did his right knee in the preseason of 2018; he sat out that year and all of 2019 with complications before making a successful return in Round 1.
For the Bulldogs, young forward Aaron Naughton injured his ankle late in the first term after taking an intercept mark, while just after half time, former Tiger Sam Lloyd injured his shoulder and didn't return.
According to News Corp, Lloyd suffered a broken collarbone and could be our for up to six weeks.