North defender Sam Durdin will miss the remainder of the season after fracturing his tibia on Saturday.
The 22-year-old suffered the injury in the third quarter of North’s loss to Richmond in the VFL.
“The stretcher was called straight away, so we knew it was a significant injury,” North football boss Cameron Joyce said.
“It’s disappointing for Sam because he was putting together a very solid season down back.
“He and Ben McKay have been patiently waiting for a spot to open up in the AFL and were only being held out by the strong form of Robbie Tarrant, Scott Thompson and Majak Daw.”
Durdin has played nine career games, including one this year in Round 10 versus the Dockers in Perth.
“’Durds’ has shown that along with Ben, he is very much a key pillar for our club going forward in the backline,” Joyce added.
“After he recovers, I have no doubt he’ll return an even more capable and reliable defender in 2019 and beyond.”
Durdin signed a two year contract extension in 2017.
