Essendon Football Club can confirm Alex Browne will miss the rest of the season, after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during the club’s NAB Challenge game against Gold Coast on Monday night.

Scans revealed the young midfielder has also partially torn his medial ligament, but did not sustain cartilage or bone damage.

Club doctor Bruce Reid said Browne would need to undergo a traditional knee reconstruction.

“Alex was very unlucky, his leg got caught under his body on the field and as a result he has torn his cruciate and medial ligament. Unfortunately he does need a full, traditional reconstruction,” Reid said.

“The good news is he hasn’t done anything else inside his knee as far as damaging the surface or cartilage, but he will undergo surgery in the coming weeks.”

Senior coach Mark Thompson said it was disappointing to lose the 21-year-old during the pre-season campaign.

“It’s incredibly disappointing for Alex, who was enjoying his best pre-season to date,” Thompson said.

“Alex is a terrific young man. While it’s a long road to recovery for players who require reconstructions, we have no doubt that Alex will come back stronger.”

Browne was recruited to the club in 2010 from the Oakleigh Chargers, making his senior debut against Melbourne in 2011. He has played eight senior games for Essendon.

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