Innocuous move that could sideline luckless Tiger
Luckless Richmond ruckman Sam Naismith looks to have yet again done serious damage to his knee in Richmond's VFL clash on Sunday.
In an innocuous action, Naismith collapsed onto the turf after an awkward move, without even being touched by an opponent.
He was immediately helped off by trainers.
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The incident occurred in the second term, as he attempted to chase and stop a Frankston player from running out of defence.
He changed directions and looked immediately in pain, but did not make any contact with the opposition player.
The 31-year-old will nervously await scans to find out if he has suffered yet another ACL rupture.
If so, it will be the the big man's fourth ACL injury in his career.
He has already undergone three surgeries related to knee issues while with Sydney.
Naismith's story has been that of a battle, after playing just 30 games for Sydney between 2014 to 2022.
After that, he was delisted by the Swans.
He was recalled to the VFl in 2023, before the Tigers took the punt on him and signed him to their AFL list on the eve of the 2024 season.
Naismith played in the Tigers' opening round match against Gold Coast.
"That is just crushing if it is the case (ACL)," 7's Jason Bennett said duirng the match.
"Our fingers are crossed, everything crossed, for Sam Naismith. But he is a disconsolate man right now."
The injury came during the Tigers 110-point annihilation at the hands of Sandringham on Sunday afternoon.