DANIEL Rich is facing a year on the sidelines after confirmation he has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Rich sustained the injury in the second quarter of Saturday's 53-point loss against Gold Coast and scans on Monday confirmed his and the Brisbane Lions' worst fears.
Rich, 23, and the club will decide in the coming days whether to undergo a traditional reconstruction – which would take 12 months of rehabilitation – or the LARS option that could see him back within three months.
Lions football operations manager Dean Warren was confident Rich would overcome his latest setback.
"We are certain Daniel’s strong character will get him through this tough period and that he will approach his rehabilitation with absolute professionalism," Warren said.
"Daniel is not only a fantastic footballer, but a great leader, and there is no doubt our side will miss having him out there."
The Lions are more likely to undergo the traditional reconstruction after being burned by LARS in 2012.
Utility Brent Staker underwent the revolutionary procedure after rupturing his ACL, returned to senior football within four months, only to sustain the same injury just six matches later.
Speaking on Monday, captain Jed Adcock said Rich would be hard to replace.
"Of course he's going to be a big loss," Adcock said.
"Just having a bloke that can kick the ball like he does in the team, we probably lack a little bit of skill, and his penetrating kick can break the lines, get over the midfield and get it into the forward line quick.
"We've got to help him, support him, in whatever way we can."
It is the second major injury for Rich in 12 months after he missed six weeks last season courtesy of a broken shoulder.
