ST KILDA fears the worst for emerging defender Hugh Goddard, with a ruptured Achilles likely to end his 2016 season.

Goddard appeared to push off his left leg and once going to ground he was unable to move.

The 19-year-old turned on the Saints’ defensive 50 late in the second quarter on Sunday to chase Adelaide opponent Josh Jenkins and in an incredibly innocuous incident, fell without contact in obvious pain.

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He eventually left the ground on a stretcher and was helped down into the club’s change rooms, where footage showed he was still unable to put any weight on his left leg. He was later shown wearing a moon boot on the bench.

Pick No.21 at the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, Goddard has been forced to work hard for a place in the Saints’ side. He managed eight games last year but Sunday was his first game in the senior side this year.

After the game, coach Alan Richardson confirmed he was likely to spend 12 months out of the game.

WATCH: Alan Richardson's full post-match press conference

Not the best day but so appreciative of all good wishes..

Now to start the rehab process to get back with the boys #mightysaints — HughGoddard23 (@hughgoddard23) June 5, 2016

“Hughy’s - that’s a bad one. He’s ruptured his Achilles tendon,” Richardson said.

“They’re often 12 months.

“We’ll be hoping for better news but that looks like it’s going to be about it. Really disappointing.”

Paddy McCartin was also forced from the field on a stretcher after colliding heads with teammate Jack Newnes and then opponent Luke Brown in the same incident.

McCartin first clashed heads with Newnes but then rebounded into Brown.

Brown was also forced from the field with a blood nose and McCartin was taken to hospital.

Thanks for the messages everyone. I'm all sweet. Very lucky to have great docs and people looking after me. We'll bounce back. #gosaints — Paddy Mccartin (@paddymccartin11) June 5, 2016

As well as the club’s first two picks at the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, the Saints’ skipper Nick Riewoldt was also injured - jarring his left knee early in the game.

The star was able to fight the game out but Richardson conceded he would be under an injury cloud this week.

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The Saints were obliterated by a focused Adelaide side and were beaten in all facets of the game.

The Crows easily won the contested possession count (146-108) and made a mockery of the Saints on the outside, winning 326 uncontested possessions to 184.

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Richardson was left clueless as to why his side lacked belief after entering the game with two consecutive wins.

“Our guys just didn’t believe they could win that game, certainly after the way the Crows started the game,” he said.

“I was really confident of a strong performance. We haven’t been outstanding the last couple of weeks [but] I thought the way we played in terms of pressure and physicality last week was really positive.

“You can sense in meetings that there’s real clarity around everyone’s role … so from that point of view it was surprising.

“We’ll review it really strongly, we won’t just sweep it under the carpet … we’ll earn our money as coaches when we can find out why it happened."

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