Tasmania captain Meghan Gaffney has been ruled out for the entire VFLW season after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament for the third time.
Gaffney suffered the injury during a marking contest in the third quarter of the club’s practice match against Carlton at Ikon Park last week.
She was helped from the field and scans have confirmed the ACL tear.
It’s a devastating blow for the 23-year-old, who only returned to the field earlier this year after recovering from an ACL injury on her opposite knee in 2025.
The former GWS Giants player has now torn her ACL three times.
Tasmania’s head of football operations, Aaron Pidgeon, said the club was devastated for its skipper.
“We’re absolutely shattered for Meghan, particularly given the commitment and hard work she has put in over the past year to get back,” Pidgeon said.
“She’s an outstanding character and has shown enormous resilience and positivity to get back before and we’re positive she’ll do it again.”
“The entire program will be behind Meghan every step of the way during her recovery and she’ll no doubt continue play to a pivotal role for the club off the field this year,” he said.
Pidgeon said the club would support Gaffney throughout her rehabilitation.
Despite the setback, Gaffney is expected to remain closely involved with Tasmania’s VFLW program in an off-field capacity while she works her way back.
