MATT Buntine is set to miss the next two months of football after the young Greater Western Sydney defender suffered a punctured lung and a broken rib in the NAB Cup on Sunday.
Buntine finished on the wrong end of a collision with Carlton's Levi Casboult in the first half of the match at Blacktown International Sportspark and was immediately taken to hospital.
The 19-year-old, who had his lung drained at Blacktown Hospital, is now set for an extended period on the sideline.
Pick five in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft, Buntine only made six appearances last year, but he had put in a solid pre-season and was set for a more regular place in the backline this coming year.
"It is unfortunate for Matt, who has had a strong pre-season," GWS football manager Graeme Allan said.
"But we are confident he will make a full recovery and look forward to him returning to the team and playing a key role for the Giants.
"It was the only sour note on what was otherwise a good day for our club, with our first win against the Sydney Swans and a very competitive performance in a two-point loss to Carlton."
The Match Review Panel reviewed the incident between Buntine and Casboult, ruling the latter "was making a realistic attempt to gather the ball and the contact was accidental".
Casboult, who is 10cm taller and 14kg heavier than Buntine, made contact with his knees into Buntine's ribs as both players tried to secure possession.
The Giants, who beat the Sydney Swans by four goals in an encouraging weekend, will get co-captain Callan Ward back to face the Brisbane Lions this week after he rested a minor knee injury on Sunday.
James Dampney is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD
