GEELONG has not ruled out using the radical knee reconstruction procedure undertaken last year by Swan Nick Malceski in an effort to regain the services of Josh Hunt before season’s end.

A statement released by the Cats on Monday afternoon confirmed premiership backman Hunt suffered a ruptured ACL in his left knee early in his club’s NAB Cup triumph on Friday night at Docklands, but did not say which reconstruction method will be pursued.

“A decision on the type of reconstruction to be performed will be made closer to the surgery,” the statement said.

Hunt consulted an orthopedic surgeon on Monday morning, who also confirmed there was minor damage to the medial ligament in the same knee, which will delay a decision on the type of surgery.

“Due to this damage to the medial ligament, the surgeon’s advice is to wait two weeks for swelling to subside in the knee before performing the reconstruction,” the club stated in the release.

Sydney Swan Malceski ruptured an ACL during the 2008 pre-season, but a new synthetic ligament meant the defender was able to return to the side in round eight. He ended up playing 11 matches for the year with seemingly no ill effects to the knee, but missed a string of five games with a calf complaint.

Hunt, who turned 27 on Friday, was running for a loose ball with Magpie forward Paul Medhurst in the first quarter of the NAB Cup grand final when his left knee buckled beneath him.

Monday’s visit to the surgeon confirmed the club’s worst fears, and coach Mark Thompson said after the game the injury could well sideline his tough backman for the season.

But Geelong fans will await details of the surgery with interest, and while they will want the best option for Hunt’s long-term health, they would love to see him back to participate in any September action.

Hunt has represented the Cats in 122 games since his 2001 debut and has held a key role in defence throughout the side's rise to the top bracket of the competition.