PORT Adelaide knocked St Kilda off the top of the ladder, with a hard-fought win on Friday night, by just seven points.
But the win was soured by a knee injury to Xavier Duursma, subbed out at quarter time after limping from the field.
However, while no injury of that kind is good, club officials confirmed after the game that it was likely to be a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury which is unlikely to be a season-ending blow.
Recovery from a PCL sprain or tear depends on the severity of the injury.
Mild (Grade 1) sprains take 10 days to two weeks to heal. Moderate (Grade 2) sprains take three to four weeks to fully recover.
According to reports after the game, that diagnosis will be confirmed with scans as early as Saturday.
The injury to his left knee follows a lateral injury to his right knee 12 months ago.
Xavier has played 63 games for Port Adelaide since he was recruited from Foster and Gippsland Power before making his debut in 2019.
A hard-nut, flanker he has copped a few injuries over the past four years but is well-known for his ability to work through the rehab and return to the top level.
At 5-2 after the first seven matches of the season, Port already look set for finals action and the club will certainly want to see him back in the fold.
