GOLD Coast forward Sam Day's season could be over after he suffered a horrific hip injury in the opening quarter of Sunday's JLT Community Series match against the Brisbane Lions.
Day was contesting a ball with Lion Jack Frost when he crumpled to the ground in agony.
Initially it appeared to be a knee or hamstring injury, but the Suns confirmed at quarter time it was a dislocated hip.
It was put back in place before the 24-year-old was taken to hospital for further scans.
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Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade said he feared the worst.
"They're (doctors) hoping it's not the season, but the odds are it probably is, so just fingers crossed for him," he said.
It continued a horror streak of injuries in Eade's two-plus years at the helm of the Suns.
Jaeger O'Meara severed a patella tendon almost two years ago that ruined his final two seasons at the club, while Gary Ablett, David Swallow, Dion Prestia and Michael Rischitelli – among a host of others – have also spent long stints on the sidelines.
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"It is frustrating, no doubt," Eade said.
"And we tend to get some rare injuries. I don't think anyone else in the history of the game has had what he's (Day) had, a dislocated hip.
"I think it's just a freak accident."
The injury leaves the Suns light-on for key position players, with Tom Lynch and Peter Wright the forward options and Steven May and Rory Thompson the two key defenders.
Jack Leslie is the only other recognised key position player on the senior list, while Keegan Brooksby and Cameron Loersch are on the rookie list.
The game was held up for five minutes while Day left the field.