HIGHLY rated draft prospect Brodie Kemp looks set for a year on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury on the weekend.

The Bendigo Pioneers talent was playing at school level for Geelong Grammar when he went down with the injury, which has been confirmed as a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament.

Kemp, who shaped as a possible top-10 pick before the injury, is likely to have surgery in coming days.

Brodie Kemp in action for the NAB AFL Academy earlier this year. Picture: AFL Photos

It came after he had starred for Vic Country in the latter stages of the recent NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, including kicking the match-winning goal against South Australia.

Vic Country's talent pathways manager Lee Fraser said it was a blow for Kemp given the form he had produced in the national carnival.

"We thought his Under-18 championships was outstanding. He's able to play in all three areas of the ground and he was enormous for us," Fraser said.

"He's a great kid and he's got a lot of friends and family around him, so he'll have a lot of support in his rehab."

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Kemp, who stands at 193cm, spent most of the early part of the season playing as a tall defender, but moved into the midfield for Vic Country and performed well with 27 disposals and five clearances against South Australia.

Then, in Country's final clash with Western Australia, he shifted forward and booted two late goals from 17 touches and was a marking threat in attack.

His versatility and upside had him pegged as a likely first-round pick and recruiters still believe he will fit into that category despite the injury setback. 

Kemp's misfortune follows an injury to another likely first-round pick, Josh Worrell.

The intercept defender suffered a shoulder injury earlier this month which is likely to leave him sidelined for the rest of the year.

Josh Worrell will miss the rest of this year with a shoulder injury. Picture: AFL Photos