Adelaide’s qualifying final win over Greater Western Sydney was soured by a serious knee injury to star defender Brodie Smith.
Smith left Thursday night’s 12.12 (84) to 6.12 (48) win in the first quarter and did not return.
His right knee buckled under him as he attempted to tackle the Giants’ Josh Kelly on the members’ wing at Adelaide Oval.
The 25-year-old was helped down the race by two trainers and re-emerged shortly before quarter-time on crutches with the knee heavily iced.
A dejected Smith was comforted by assistant coach James Podsaidly during the quarter-time break.
If the injury is a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament as was first feared, Smith will miss between 10 and 12 months if he undergoes a traditional knee reconstruction.
Smith kicked an outstanding running goal just minutes before his night ended prematurely.
He will undergo scans to confirm the severity of the injury.
GWS didn’t escape unscathed either, star forward Jeremy Cameron leaving the game with a hamstring injury in the second quarter.
Adelaide star Rory Sloane didn’t play against GWS as he continues to recover from appendix surgery and looms as the obvious replacement for Smith when the Crows host a preliminary final.