Denmark-Walpole product Kalin Lane’s future in the air as out of contract Lions ruckman suffers ACL injury

Denmark-Walpole junior and Brisbane Lions project ruckman Kalin Lane will miss the rest of the 2024 season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in the VFL at the weekend. Lane was picked up by the Lions in the 2021 mid-season draft and has played 52 games in the VFL, showing consistent growth and development as a ruckman and key forward. The 22-year-old suffered the serious knee injury in the Lions’ VFL win over Coburg on Saturday, leaving the field at the start of the third term and scans on Monday afternoon confirmed he had ruptured his ACL. Brisbane Lions general manager of football Danny Daly said it was heartbreaking news for the youngster. “Everyone at the club is devastated for Kalin and we will make sure we all support him in any way we can as he begins his recovery,” Daly said. “Kalin and our VFL team are having a strong season and it’s disappointing to see him miss the remainder of the year.” Lane is the sixth Lions player to suffer an ACL injury since July last year, with Tom Doedee, Darcy Gardiner, Kiddy Coleman, Lincoln McCarthy and Will Ashcroft also going down. The 205cm ruckman had recently reached an individual milestone, playing his 50th VFL game. This year he has played 12 VFL games for the Lions, averaging 8.4 disposals per game and kicking nine goals. He kicked 2.1 in their recent win over Sandringham and in round eight had 41 hit outs against Casey. In May 2022, Lane was one of four young Lions to re-sign with the club and his extension took him until the end of 2024. This setback leaves the Lions with a decision to make, with Lane now out of contract at the end of this year.