Few Australian athletes would have experienced the roller-coaster of emotions Sam Naismith has gone thought this year - which is obviously saying a lot in the age of COVID.
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A season that started so promisingly appears to have ended in abject despair, after the 27-year-old Sydney ruckman again ruptured the ACL in his right knee.
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"It is terrible news for Sam and really disappointing for the team," Fox Sports quoted Swans football boss Charlie Gardiner as saying.
"Our thoughts are with Sam at the moment," he added, "and we will wrap our arms around him as he gets on with his recovery."
Naismith emerged from 912 days on the sidelines, due to a ruptured ACL and subsequent complications, to produce a strong performance in the Swans' round-one win over Adelaide.
But then the lockdown occurred, and the Gunnedah export found himself self-isolating in his Sydney apartment with his Brussels griffon puppy, Bobby.
The AFL season restarted two weeks ago, but Naismith missed the Swans' return clash against Essendon due to a hamstring injury.
The following round, against the Bulldogs at the SCG last Thursday, he limped off the field in the final quarter - the worst fears later confirmed: he had again ruptured his ACL and will likely miss the rest of the season.
The 206-centimetre big man missed the 2018 and 2019 seasons, and has played only 30 AFL games since debuting at the Swans in 2014.
While in isolation this year, his sister Kristi died of cancer.
In an interview with the Leader in April, Naismith spoke about the "mental health battle" he waged during his long injury layoff (he had considered retiring).
