Sam Naismith's knee is looked at by a trainer, and (inset) leaving the ground at the SCG in R4, 2020

SYDNEY ruckman Sam Naismith is set to miss the rest of the season after scans confirmed he ruptured the ACL in his right knee on Thursday night. 

Naismith, playing just his 30th AFL match, finished the loss to the Western Bulldogs on the bench with a knee injury sustained in the final term. 

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 04:59

    Horse on Naismith: 'We think he's done his knee'

    John Longmire reveals that returning ruckman Sam Naismith has been dealt a cruel blow after injuring his knee in the final term

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  • 07:31

    Bev on Bont mark: 'If you're not inspired by that, you never will be'

    Luke Beveridge believes Marcus Bontempelli's stunning back-with-the-flight mark should inspire his teammates

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  • 01:36

    Enjoy Bontempelli lighting up your telly

    Marcus Bontempelli chimed in with a typically inspired performance against the Swans

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  • 05:51

    Highlights: Sydney v Western Bulldogs

    The Swans and Bulldogs clash in round four

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  • 00:41

    Priceless Papley mesmerising again

    Tom Papley continues to impress, snaring his fourth goal of the game in dazzling style

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  • 00:57

    Milestone man Kennedy flocked by Swans

    Swans co-captain Josh Kennedy notches a crucial goal in the final term to keep his side's hopes alive

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  • 00:30

    Fox and the hound, Dale in the book

    Bulldog Bailey Dale is reported after a late hit on Sydney's Robbie Fox

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  • 00:33

    Double Dog blow as another goes down

    The Bulldogs lose another forward as Sam Lloyd lands awkwardly on his shoulder

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  • 01:01

    Bont erupts in breathtaking second term

    Marcus Bontempelli is on fire, producing two sensational grabs and some fine kicking in front of goal

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  • 00:18

    Naughton's night ends early after ankle worry

    The Bulldogs suffer an unfortunate blow with Aaron Naughton forced to leave the game after injuring his ankle

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  • 00:28

    Bont wows everyone after back-with-flight stunner

    Marcus Bontempelli displays outstanding courage to haul in an amazing mark against Isaac Heeney

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  • 01:33

    Touching tribute for late Kennedy snr

    The Swans and Bulldogs pay tribute to AFL legend John Kennedy snr

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  • 01:35

    Match Preview: Sydney v Western Bulldogs

    Sportsbet's Nathan Brown and Matthew Richardson preview the clash between the Swans and the Bulldogs at the SCG

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Sydney's head of football, Charlie Gardiner, said the club would continue to support Naismith, who has managed just two senior games since suffering his first ACL injury ahead of the 2018 season.  

Swans ruckman Sam Naismith. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

"It is terrible news for Sam and really disappointing for the team," Gardiner said.

"He will see a surgeon next week and we will then lay out next steps from there.

"Our thoughts are with Sam at the moment and we will wrap our arms around him as he gets on with his recovery."

10:41

Last Time I Cried: Football should not be this cruel

Alex Johnson endured six knee reconstructions across his eight year, 47 game career. He shares his story with Hamish McLachlan

Naismith underwent his first knee reconstruction in the pre-season of 2018 and sat out the rest of that season and then the entire 2019 campaign with further complications. 

SWANS v BULLDOGS Full match coverage and stats

Swans coach John Longmire said on Thursday night that the injury was the latest in a series of difficult events for the 27-year-old. 

"He's missed two years of footy and comes back and plays round one and plays really well," Longmire said. 

"He lost his sister through that (shutdown) break and then he comes back and does his knee. It's a terrible run for him." 

04:59

Horse on Naismith: 'We think he's done his knee'

John Longmire reveals that returning ruckman Sam Naismith has been dealt a cruel blow after injuring his knee in the final term

The Swans' ruck depth consists of Callum Sinclair (199cm) and Hayden McLean (197cm), both of whom played in the loss to the Dogs, plus rookie Michael Knoll (205cm) and Joel Amartey (197cm).

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