THE WESTERN Bulldogs suspect Lin Jong has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament that will end his 2017 season.
Long was injured midway through the first term of the Bulldogs' 57-point loss to Melbourne on Sunday.
Jong was trying to get a kick away during the match at Etihad Stadium when Demons co-captain Nathan Jones smothered his effort, colliding with the midfielder's right knee.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge told reporters after the match that the club's initial diagnosis was Jong would require a knee reconstruction.
Five talking points: Western Bulldogs v Melbourne
"It always is (devastating). We've had too many of them, so it's disappointing," Beveridge said.
"But like the ones that have gone before him we just need to help him with his rehab and get him back as big and strong as he has been and we'll have him hopefully somewhere near the start of next year."
Jong will undergo scans on his knee with the results expected early next week.
WATCH: Luke Beveridge's full post-match press conference
