Scans have confirmed that Crows AFLW ruck Rhiannon Metcalfe has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee and she will miss the 2019 AFLW season.

Metcalfe suffered the injury in an innocuous tackling incident in the second quarter of Adelaide’s trial game against Fremantle on Saturday night.

Crows General Manager of Football Administration Phil Harper said the Club will rally behind the 27-year-old.

“It’s obviously very disappointing for us, as Rhi has been our number one ruck since we started,” Harper said.

“But she has a very tough character and the Club will support her every step of the way through her rehabilitation.”

Metcalfe will have surgery within the next week and once she has recovered, she will have a role helping with strategy amongst the team.

In better news, x-rays confirmed no bone breakage in fellow ruck Jasmyn Hewett’s right ankle.

Hewett hobbled off in the final quarter of the trial game after landing awkwardly at a ruck contest.

She will have more scans to assess ligament damage, with a return date to be confirmed.