GOLD COAST will be without star ruckman Zac Smith when it travels to Melbourne to take on Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday.
Smith ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the Suns’ win over Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.
The circumstances surrounding his injury are a mystery, with Suns medicos and Smith himself unable to determine when the injury occurred.
Smith left the field in the first term clutching his knee, but later returned with his right knee heavily strapped.
He was substituted out of the game just before half time.
One of the most talented and promising ruckmen in the competition, Smith’s injury is a massive blow to the Suns who have started the year in impressive fashion.
They will now likely turn to ruckman Daniel Gorringe to fill the void.
Now in their third year in the AFL, the Suns sit just outside the top eight with four wins and four losses and head into the clash with Hawthorn brimming with confidence after securing two successive wins.
Gold Coast General Manager – Football Operations says Smith had been one of the Suns’ best this season and a reason why it has been able to win four of eight matches to start the year.
“In the last two weeks he’s been terrific and a real catalyst as to why the team has been playing well and winnings games of football,” he said.
The versatile big man has a season average of 19 hit outs, 10 disposals and one goal per game in 2013.