LUCKLESS Hawthorn utility Brendan Whitecross faces another lengthy stint on the sidelines after scans on Saturday confirmed he has again ruptured his right anterior cruciate ligament.

Whitecross came on as the Hawks' substitute midway through the third term of their thrilling five-point preliminary final win over Geelong on Friday night.

The 23-year-old suffered the same injury to the same knee in last season's qualifying final against Collingwood.

Footage showed Whitecross re-injured the knee when he lunged sideways in an attempt to tackle in the frenzied final minutes of Friday night's game.

The popular Hawk is expected to have surgery after next week's Grand Final and will play a off-field part in the biggest day on the football calendar.

"The timing of the injury is obviously devastating for both Brendan and for our club, however he has always been considered a young leader within our playing group and he will play an important role in our team over the next week," Hawthorn football manager Chris Fagan told hawthornfc.com.au.   

"Brendan approached his initial rehabilitation with absolute professionalism, and with the support of the club we expect he will display the same commitment and dedication again."

Whitecross missed the Hawks' Grand Final clash with the Sydney Swans last year after rupturing his right ACL early in their qualifying final win over Collingwood.

He made a speedy recovery to return in round 14 this year and had played every game since then.

 

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said he planned to speak to Hawthorn fitness staff to work out whether they would rest Whitecross' possible Grand Final replacements from Sunday's VFL decider.

Hawthorn's VFL affiliate Box Hill plays Geelong for the VFL premiership, but the Hawks might be reluctant to play preliminary final emergencies, Jed Anderson and Kyle Cheney, and fringe player Taylor Duryea given they would only have a six-day break before next Saturday's Grand Final.