Carlton defender, Zac Williams, has been ruled out for the 2023 AFL season after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during training on Friday. The injury was confirmed after scans and he will undergo surgery next week to repair the ACL.

According to Carlton Head of Football, Brad Lloyd, “These incidents are so unfortunate and we are all feeling for Zac, he could not have done any more this pre-season to get himself ready for the year.”

Lloyd went on to say that “Zac has had more than his fair share of bad luck with injury, but in that time he has built up a lot of resilience, which he will no doubt tap into, as we all support him on his road to recovery from here.”

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In addition, forward Sam Philp also underwent surgery earlier this week after experiencing a stress fracture in his second metatarsal foot.

Lloyd stated that “We are all really disappointed for Sam, given how hard he has worked to get his body right over the last 18 months.”

A more definite timeline for his recovery is still to be determined.