Midfielder Tom Liberatore will miss the 2015 premiership season after scans today revealed a torn ACL in his left knee.

Liberatore injured his knee in a tackle in the first quarter of yesterday’s NAB Challenge match against Richmond and did not return to the field.

Liberatore will undergo a traditional ACL repair later this week, after a meeting with the knee specialist earlier today.

General Manager, Football Graham Lowe said the injury was disappointing for Liberatore, but backed the star midfielder to get back to his best next year.

“Our initial prognosis of an ACL tear was confirmed today by MRI, and we are all feeling for Tom, who is an integral part of our team,” Lowe said.

“He is in good spirits however, and we know he will take his rehabilitation in his stride. Tom is an extremely resilient young man, and will return bigger and better from this setback."

Liberatore has played 77 games since being drafted as a father-son selection (41 overall) in the 2010 National Draft.