Scans confirm Keidean Coleman and Sam Docherty have both suffered ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injuries

The 2024 AFL season is over after just one match for Keidean Coleman and Sam Docherty.

Keidean Coleman is helped off the ground after injuring his knee in Brisbane’s one-point loss to Carlton at the Gabba. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Brisbane and Carlton have been rocked by respective season-ending knee injuries to Keidean Coleman and Sam Docherty.

The Lions’ worst fears were realised on Saturday when scans confirmed star defender Coleman had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in his side’s one-point “Opening Round” loss to the Blues at the Gabba on Friday night.

Coleman, 23, suffered the injury in the dying stages of the second quarter when his knee hyper-extended in clash of legs with Carlton forward Lachie Fogarty.

A similar, but perhaps less expected, fate fell on Docherty, who injured his knee in a tackle in the first quarter on Friday night.

Docherty returned to action, but like Coleman, didn’t reappear for the second half.

Scans on Saturday also confirmed that 30-year-old Docherty had suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament for the third time in his career, and had also torn the meniscus in his right knee.

Keidean Coleman lays on the ground injured as his Brisbane teammates Lachie Neale (left), Cam Rayner (centre) and Linc McCarthy try to console him. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Carlton football manager Brad Lloyd said there was “arguably no player in our competition who is more beloved than Sam Docherty”.

“Football becomes almost insignificant when you consider all Sam has endured and overcome over the last few years,” said Lloyd said, with Docherty also having battled testicular cancer.

“This news simply isn’t fair, but as Carlton people we love Sam dearly. We will support him through this so he can return to the field when he is ready.

“His impact on our side will certainly be missed on the field, however his impact on his teammates and on the selfless environment we are creating will continue to be profound right throughout the club.”

Carlton's Sam Docherty (second from right) is tackled by Lions star Cam Rayner at the Gabba. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Lions football manager Danny Daly said Coleman would have similar support from “everyone” at the Brisbane club.

“It’s really disappointing news for Keidean, especially in the first game after a strong pre-season and an impressive finals campaign last year,” Daly said.

“However, ‘Kiddy’ is only young and has a very bright future ahead of him with the Brisbane Lions, which we all look forward to.

“`Kiddy’ is an extremely positive and calm person, so I am confident those traits will no doubt help him get through his recovery over the coming months.

“He of course has the full support of everyone at our club and we will continue to be right with him every step of the way.

“A special mention also to our incredible Brisbane Lions fans, and fans in general, who have shared their well wishes for Kiddy on social media.”

The classy Coleman will be a huge loss for the Lions in their bid to go one better than last season, when they lost the grand final by just four points to Collingwood.

Brisbane’s loss to Carlton was the Lions’ first defeat at the Gabba since August 2022.