‘All hold our breath’: Horror AFL moment for Dogs star Sam Darcy

Sam Darcy, who has taken the AFL by storm in 2025, has likely played his last game for the year after a horror moment at Marvel Stadium.

Young superstar Sam Darcy likely suffered a wretched torn ACL in his left knee early in the Bulldogs’ 71-point thrashing of St Kilda on Sunday night.

After a day of countless Easter eggs and family gatherings, fans were settling into a rare prime time Sunday night game of footy when disaster struck late in the first quarter of the 18.19 (127) to 8.8 (56) bloodbath at Marvel Stadium.

The 21-year-old Darcy, who has taken a major leap forward in 2025 to ignite the competition, had two St Kilda defenders for company when he flew for a regulation contested mark from a Jason Johannisen entry.

FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

Darcy spilled the mark before his leg buckled and he appeared to hyperextend his left knee.

While there is yet to be confirmation of the extent of the injury, the Bulldogs are reportedly “fearing the worst for Sam Darcy and his knee”.

A torn ACL would end Darcy’s season just as it was taking off.

He was quickly subbed out of the game and later seen on the bench with some strapping on his leg following a visit from his dad, Bulldogs great Luke Darcy.

Sam Darcy crumpled on the turf after his knee buckled. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Darcy’s hurt! He’s grabbing at his left knee,” Gerard Whateley said as the moment unfolded on Fox Footy.

“He’s trying to regain his footing.

“Umpires have just halted play while we all hold our breath on this.”

Garry Lyon added: “He’s in real pain Gerard.

“Let’s hope for the best here, but just the way he grabbed it, we’re not doctors of course, we’ll just hope everything’s OK there.

“This is the biggest story in footy right now, maybe for the year given where he sits in the competition Sam Darcy.

“We don’t want to be absolutely dramatic, but this is a generational talent … and footy lovers will be hoping for the best for that young man.

Darcy was instantly in significant pain. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“That’s all we can do, we don’t need to speculate too much more.”

It was an enormous dampener on what had been a carnival atmosphere to start the game, which was pitting two teams against each other right on the cusp of the top eight with identical 3-3 records early in the season.

The Saints bolted out of the blocks with four of the opening five goal before the Dogs replied with two of their own before Darcy’s horror moment immediately shifted the focus.

Rather than let it get them down, the Bulldogs somehow lifted and kicked five unanswered goals in a dominant second term for a 28-point lead at halftime but the attention was still on the club’s 208cm talent.

Darcy was at least able to walk off after the incident. Picture: Michael Klein

“The Bulldogs kicked five unanswered goals, which makes it seven in a row, they’re dominating this game,” Anthony Hudson said at the long break.

“Although there’s a sinking feeling in their stomachs knowing their young tyro Sam Darcy has what appears to be a serious knee injury.”

St Kilda great Nick Dal Santo tried to capture the mood when he spoke during the main break.

“It was just a regular go at the football and launch and then you have that moment of who is it?” he said after Darcy crumpled to the turf.

“But then when he stood up and people saw the replay you heard the oohs and aahs and the worst fears were felt.

“We’re still waiting for confirmation but hearing it might be the worst case scenario.”

Luke Darcy seeing his son in the Bulldogs' rooms. Photo: Fox Sports

After kicking 38 goals in 21 matches last season, Darcy had taken his game to a new level in 2025, kicking 14 majors through the Dogs’ five fixtures coming into Sunday night.

It included 15 disposals, eight marks and four goals against the Pies in round two and 21 touches, 11 marks and five goals against Fremantle two weeks later.

At three quarter-time, Whateley provided an update on the situation.

“The Sam Darcy story as it stands tonight,” he began.

“The indicative testing, the clinical testing the doctors conducted … it does suggest that he’s done the ACL.

“Scanning tomorrow and there’s always a chance of a miracle, but the Bulldogs will leave here tonight fearing the worst for Sam Darcy and his knee.”

The AFL world quickly reacted to the awful scenario for one of the competition’s brightest talents.

Sam Darcy at halftime. Photo: Fox Sports

X account IronCrowStorm tweeted: “Hoping for the best for Sam Darcy. Fingers crossed we see him playing again soon.”

AFL Fantasy Freak wrote: “One of the games best talents, has been unbelievable this year, a top 5 player in the competition and he’s under 21. Also is evident he is mature beyond his years. No matter the result, he is a superstar and the footy world is behind him.”

Kyri Tsav offered: “Hope it’s not serious …. love watching him play.”

Nathan Thomas said: “Prays for good news, hopefully not ACL. Guy has been special this year!”

Club doctors are typically able to diagnose a likely tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament shortly after the injury, although it appears scans will be needed to make the official call.

Originally published as ‘All hold our breath’: Horror AFL moment for Dogs star Sam Darcy