Toby McLean at Bulldogs training in April, 2021. Picture: Getty Images

WESTERN Bulldogs premiership forward Toby McLean has been dealt a cruel blow after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament for the second time in as many years.

McLean, who underwent a knee reconstruction last year and recently returned to the field, suffered the injury in a training session at Whitten Oval on Saturday.

The 25-year-old underwent a reconstruction last year after the injury in round 17 but won a recall in round 14 this season and played three consecutive games before being omitted.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:36

    Holman on fire with two in a minute

    Nick Holman has helped the Suns get off to a flyer with these two quick goals

    AFL
  • 00:15

    Ellis subbed out early with hamstring injury

    Gold Coast's Brandon Ellis has been subbed out early after suffering this hamstring injury during the first quarter

    AFL
  • 00:27

    Jamarra off the mark with cracking set shot

    2020 No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has kicked his long-awaited first career goal with this special effort

    AFL
  • 00:29

    Jamarra lights up Metricon with long-range bomb

    Jamarra Ugle-Hagan didn't take long to kick his second career goal with this beauty from long-range

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Bruce works hard for this soccer finish

    Josh Bruce has kicks this brilliant goal off the ground to continue his side's run

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Sexton stuns Dogs with ripping finish

    Alex Sexton has snapped through this brilliant goal to keep his Suns in touch

    AFL
  • 00:29

    Jamarra sends it to outer space with this brilliant snap

    Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has kicked his third goal with this brilliant mark and goal extending his side's lead

    AFL
  • 06:16

    Highlights: Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs

    The Suns and Bulldogs clash in round 18

    AFL
  • 08:03

    Dew: 'We take some real confidence from that'

    Watch Gold Coast's press conference after round 18's match against the Western Bulldogs

    AFL
  • 09:20

    Beveridge: 'Our key forwards have played much better games'

    Watch the Western Bulldog's press conference after round 18's match against Gold Coast

    AFL

The 2016 premiership player, however, is set for another long stint on the sidelines that is expected to last until late in the 2022 season after suffering the injury to the same right knee. He is set for surgery this week.

McLean, who was drafted by the Bulldogs in 2014, has played 94 games for the club and booted 14 goals from 15 games in the Dogs’ historic breakthrough premiership campaign.