Melbourne head coach Steven King says his club is “fearing the worst” for winger Jai Culley, after the 23-year-old went down with a suspected left ACL injury in Friday night’s 11-goal win over Richmond on Anzac Day Eve.

The much-loved Demon, who has already previously ruptured the ligament in his right knee, went down in agony trying to change direction amid a contest in the second stanza.

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Culley was aided by a physio either side of him as he left the ground for testing, which while inconclusive, was indicative of a serious injury.

The emotional Langwarrin product was embraced by his teammates at half time as he joined them on the field, sporting an ice pack over the area before wearing a compression at full time in the changerooms.

“Obviously, it doesn’t look great whenever your player goes down like that and can’t return. Unfortunately, we’re fearing the worst, but he’ll get scans tomorrow,” King told journalists in his post-match press conference.

“I’ll cross all my fingers and toes that it’s a good result, but we feel for Jai. Hopefully it’s better news than anticipated.

“It’s unfortunate. He’s worked really hard over summer and is a really important part of what he does being on a wing with his size and athleticism.”

Jai Culley with medical staff after the 2026 Anzac Day Eve match between the Richmond Tigers and the Melbourne Demons at the MCG on April 24, 2026 (Photo by Michael Willson via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

After being delisted by West Coast at the end of the 2024 season, Culley made his club debut in Round 21 last year and had played every game since heading into Friday night.

Alongside many of his teammates, the 23-year-old looks to have improved his game considerably this season amid a fast-paced, blitzing Melbourne set up.

“It doesn’t look good. Hopefully it’s not as bad as what we think, we absolutely adore him,” half forward Kade Chandler told foxfooty.com.au in the rooms post-game.

“We love what he gives to our club culturally. Obviously on-field he’s a massive asset, but around the changerooms he’s amazing.

“We’re definitely going to have to wrap our arms around him. It’s going to be a long journey if it is the worst-case scenario, but we’ve got everything crossed that’s not the case.”

Culley will join the likes of Jake Melksham (ankle), Jack Viney (Achilles), Christian Salem (foot), Trent Rivers (knee) and Harrison Petty on the sidelines with injury.

“His left knee buckled on him just as the right knee did three years ago for West Coast against the Richmond Football Club … It’s a very similar incident, albeit to the other leg (with) that ACL mechanism,” Fox Footy reporter Jon Ralph said at half time of the broadcast.

“The fact he came out and was absolutely shattered, walked off the bench at half time and every one of his teammates went to him. He had ice on that knee, that’s the glimmer of hope.

“As we saw with Sam Darcy last week, if they were 100 per cent sure he’d done his ACL, they wouldn’t be bothering there … it’s a very small glimmer of hope.”

Melbourne take on Sydney at the SCG next Sunday afternoon, looking to extend their red-hot 5-2 start to season 2026.