COLLINGWOOD'S victorious opening to the season has taken a horrible turn with co-captain Brianna Davey ruled out for the rest of 2022.
Scans have confirmed Davey ruptured the ACL in her right knee as well as tearing her medial collateral ligament (MCL) in the Pies' 19-point win over arch rival Carlton on Sunday.
The 26-year-old has previously had surgery on the same knee after injuring it in 2018.
"We are all heartbroken for Bri," Collingwood’s Head of Women's Football Jess Burger said on Monday.
"It's very hard to see our captain go down with such a cruel injury, let alone someone who is at the top of their game. There is no doubt her injury has been felt not just within our team, but across the entire AFLW community."
Davey was named captain of the 2021 All-Australian side after being joint winner of the League best and fairest award last year.
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"Bri is an incredibly strong, hard-working athlete, she is fiercely determined and cares deeply for her teammates. These attributes will give her great confidence to overcome the upcoming challenge she faces.
"She's recovered from this injury before and knows what it takes to get herself back to being regarded as one of the competition's best.
"Once the rawness and reality of the injury sets in, we have no doubt she'll commence her rehabilitation in the pursuit of reclaiming her on-field best.
"Bri will continue to play a key role in leading this team from the sidelines this season and our entire program will wrap our arms around her during this difficult time."
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