Hawthorn recruit Alex Woodward will need a knee reconstruction, sidelining him for this AFL season.

Scans on Monday confirmed Woodward ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the first term of Saturday’s pre-season win over Greater Western Sydney in Launceston.

He also suffered strained ligaments in his left ankle.

The 18-year-old will undergo a normal reconstruction, rather than the newer LARS procedure.

Hawthorn recruited the midfielder with pick 53 in last year’s national draft.