Second ACL confirmed for Sam Powell-Pepper, season also over for Port Adelaide teammates Esava Ratugolea and Dante Visentini
Defender Esava Ratugolea and emerging young ruckman Dante Visentini are also done for 2025 after a night of injury carnage in last Saturday's loss to the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
Powell-Pepper, 27, ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament rupture in his left knee, just 15 months after he did the same to his right knee.
He only played three games last season but worked his way back from the heartbreaking injury to play 15 games in 2025 before the devastating blow.
'It's such a disappointing outcome for Sam and for the club,' Port Adelaide head of medical services Tim O'Leary said.
'Sam is so courageous and hardworking and was incredibly diligent with his previous knee rehab. There is no doubt he will approach this rehab with his usual high level of commitment, attacking it in the same way he attacks the footy.'
Ratugolea, meanwhile, sustained a high-grade hamstring injury during a spoil, while Visentini suffered a high-grade syndesmosis injury in a ruck contest.
Visentini will have to undergo surgery this week, while Ratugolea's treatment plan will be determined over the coming days, but the injury is severe enough to end his season.
Port Adelaide can't make the finals, and coach Ken Hinkley will hand over duties to Josh Carr at the end of the season.
'It's really unfortunate to lose Esava and Dante at this point in the year,' O'Leary said.
'The silver lining is that there will be no impact on their pre-seasons, which gives them the best chance to prepare for 2026.'
Second-year player Lachie Charleson has had a successful procedure on a broken finger and will be sidelined for up to a fortnight.
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