Essendon defender Mark Baguley might miss the rest of the AFL season after undergoing knee surgery this week.
Baguley, 29, has played 10 of 11 matches this season but has experienced increasing soreness and swelling associated with a pre-existing injury after games.
He saw a specialist this week and underwent an arthroscopic procedure to correct the cartilage issue, with the club hopeful, more than confident, he’ll take the field again in 2016.
“We’ll wait for the surgeon’s advice after he catches up with Mark after the surgery settles and we’ll get a better idea from there,” high performance manager Justin Crow said on Tuesday.
“It’s entirely possible (that he will return). Mark will be really keen to do that.
“(But) we’ll take the surgeon’s advice and do the best thing by his long-term playing career.”
Baguley’s loss is a blow for the Bombers who are on the bottom of the ladder at the halfway point of the season with just one win.