Scans have confirmed injury fears for Port Adelaide enforcer Sam Powell-Pepper.
Powell-Pepper left the ground with a suspected ACL injury mid-way through the third quarter of the Power's loss to Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night.
The 27-year-old is set to undergo his second major knee surgery in 18 months after scans confirmed he ruptured the ACL in his left knee.
It confirms the end of Powell-Pepper's season, and another long-term rehab back to footy after playing just three games in 2024 following the same injury to his right knee early in the year.
"It's such a disappointing outcome for Sam, and for the club," Power medical services head Tim O'Leary said, via the club.
"Sam is so courageous and hard-working, and was incredibly diligent with his previous knee rehab. There is no doubt he will approach this rehab with his usual high level of commitment, attacking it in the same way he attacks the footy."
Powell-Pepper made 16 appearances for the year going at a touch over a goal a game.
He was one of three Port players whose seasons finished in Brisbane.
Esava Ratugolea and Dante Visentini also came from the ground early on Saturday, with a high-grade hamstring strain and high-grade syndesmosis injury, respectively, confirmed for each on Monday.
Speaking post-match, an emotional Ken Hinkley anticipated the cruel blow for Powell-Pepper.
The veteran coach is set to step out of the role at season's end.
"(Powell Pepper's injury) obviously looks like an ACL. We clearly will get the scan back over the next couple of days, but that's really, really sad. When I think about that, it gets a bit sadder for me, because it's my last game of coaching Sam, and he's been such a great player for me," Hinkley said.
"It's really difficult when you have someone that you really care about, to see that happen to him now for the second time, on the other leg. I wish him a speedy recovery, and I know he'll be a great player for Port Adelaide."
Hinkley has been Powell-Pepper's coach for the entirety of his 158-game career since arriving at the club with the 18th pick of 2016 draft.
The veteran coach said it had been a "great week" for Powell-Pepper with the birth of his new baby, and that he would look forward to his first game back after recovering.
Powell-Pepper made a celebration tribute to his newborn after kicking a goal from the 50 arc early in the contest.
