Western Bulldogs are hopeful that star forward Aaron Naughton has not suffered a season-ending knee injury during the side's 14-point loss to the Sydney Swans.
In the second quarter of Thursday night's clash, Naughton landed awkwardly in a tackle and immediately looked in distress as he clutched at his right knee.
He was attended to by Bulldogs medicos before being helped from the ground.
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In concerning scenes, the 24-year-old could not put any weight on his injured leg as he headed straight down the race.
"Oh dear, that is not good for Aaron Naughton," Brian Taylor said on Seven.
"Let's hope that's not what I think it is. Betting from the reactions of Naughton then that's not a good one … that is ugly."
Fellow commentator Alister Nicholson added: "He's in a lot of pain, he threw the mouthguard, worrying signs there".
However, the Bulldogs are now confident that Naughton has sustained a medial injury, not an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, but will go for scans on Friday to confirm.
"We're pretty optimistic it's not his ACL," general manager of football operations Matthew Egan said.
Naughton was ruled out of the rest of the match but later resurfaced from the rooms with his knee in a brace.
"[He] would've left the ground fearing he's torn his ACL — all the telltale signs — that twisting, wrenching motion and the instant pain," Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph told Fox Footy.
"In 2019 he got that miracle — he left the ground in that elimination final against GWS, it looked to all the world as if there was an ACL tear. It turned out to be a lateral ligament and he played again the next year.
"He has not yet started that eight-year contract extension at $1.2 million a year until 2032. If he does go down, the club will have to turn to Rory Lobb.
"Scans tomorrow, a nervous wait ahead."
Last year, Naughton signed an eight-year contract extension to tie him to the club until the end of the 2032 season.
The injury left the Bulldogs a player down on the bench after utility Anthony Scott was subbed off in the opening term with a concussion after clashing heads with Swan Harry Cunningham.
Midfielder Ed Richards was also later ruled out with concussion following an accidental head knock in the third quarter.
In the end, the ladder-leading Swans kept their heads to record a 16.6 (96) to 12.16 (88) victory.
Sydney midfielder Chad Warner was the standout — kicking four goals from 25 disposals and taking a mark-of-the-year contender after reaching new heights.
Errol Gulden, 25 disposals and one goal, and Isaac Heeney, one goal and 23 disposals also exemplified why the Swans are 10-1 so far this season.
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