Port Adelaide coach Josh Carr says star defender Esava Ratugolea was to have surgery overnight on Saturday following a heavy collision against Collingwood that resulted in a ruptured patella tendon for the 27-year-old.
Ratugolea tripped over Pies forward Lachie Schultz in a marking contest and collided awkwardly with fellow tall Todd Marshall, resulting in the former Geelong back being stretchered off in the third term.
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“He is going in for emergency now and he will most likely get an operation tonight so that is a long-term injury,” Carr said post-game.
“It’s probably most likely 12 months, I think.
“He is in pretty good form, marking the footy.
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“Obviously disappointing and flattening for him and his family and us as a footy club.”
Carr also confirmed one of either a calf or Baker’s cyst injury for utility Jack Lukosius, which they will find out following scans.
Port forward Ewan Mackinlay is also set for up to eight weeks out with an MCL injury, while tall forward Marshall rolled an ankle but the injury was deemed “nothing too serious”.
Port got out to a 19-point lead in the second term and finished with 54-47 inside 50s in its favour.
But a poor 6.16 in front of goal hurt the Power.
Carr however wasn’t so concerned with the inaccuracy in front of goal, rather the method of entry going inside 50, which had them attempting goals from difficult areas.
“The entries inside 50 probably hurt us all night,” Carr said.
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“We got entries but our method going inside 50 was really poor in the conditions, not getting it deep enough and allowing them to get the turnover on the other side.
“A team like that with some mature players and senior players can really hurt you.”
Port take on Adelaide next Saturday in the Showdown.
Carr said defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher will be pulled out of this week’s SANFL game to have him fully prepared for the rival clash as the Power look to cover for its fresh injuries.