Western Bulldogs youngster Aurora Smith has become the latest AFLW player to fall victim to the dreaded ACL injury.
The 18-year-old was on debut last Sunday when the Bulldogs pulled off a giant upset against powerhouse Adelaide.
But Smith's first game did not even last the opening quarter as she went down with a right knee injury before the first break.
Scans this week have confirmed Smith is the seventh AFLW player to tear their ACL this season.
As well as the ACL rupture, it was revealed Smith suffered damage to her medial meniscus.
"The entire AFLW program is absolutely devastated for Aurora, particularly in her debut game," Bulldogs women's football boss Debbie Lee said.
"Since joining our program, she has done everything she can to ready herself for this moment, and we were really looking forward to seeing what she could do at AFLW level.
"We know she has a long career ahead of her, so as a club we will wrap our arms around Aurora and her family, and provide them with all the support they need."
Smith joins teammate Isabel Huntington, Brisbane Lions duo Kate Lutkins and Gabby Collingwood, Richmond defender Harriet Cordner, Collingwood superstar Brianna Davey and Gold Coast's Jade Pregelj to be ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.
Smith was the Bulldogs' second selection in last year's AFLW draft, taken with pick 25.
