GEELONG youngster Quinton Narkle is set to miss the rest of 2017, and quite possibly, much of 2018 after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee at training on Friday.
Narkle, pick No.60 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, sustained the injury in an unfortunate incident at training at Simonds Stadium.
The Cats will seek the opinion of a number of specialists over the next few days as they determine the appropriate course of action.
Surgery to repair the ACL would likely sideline the 19-year-old for up to 12 months.
The start to the midfielder's career has been interrupted by injury, with Narkle managing just two VFL games in the last month after he hurt his hamstring, also at training, in January.
However, the West Australian displayed his talent in the VFL last weekend, racking up 24 disposals, four clearances and four inside 50s in an impressive showing.
Narkle is renowned for his explosiveness away from the contest as a smooth-moving midfielder and he's also dangerous when given the opportunity to play inside 50.