Rachel Kearns' AFLW season is probably over after the Geelong forward needed surgery on her right AC joint.
The Irish import underwent an operation on Wednesday morning and the Cats fear she will not play again in 2022.
Kearns was crunched in a tackle from Richmond opponent Beth Lynch during the first quarter of Sunday's narrow Geelong win at GMHBA Stadium.
She left the field immediately after the incident and sat out the rest of the match with her right arm in a sling.
No action was taken against Lynch in the AFLW match review.
Kearns, from County Mayo, joined the Cats earlier this year and has played 11 games.
