No.1 draft pick Jonathan Patton will be sent to Europe to receive treatment on his troublesome knee, barely two months after being drafted by GWS Giants, meaning he will have to wait until at least May to play AFL football.
Patton, who has been likened to three-time premiership forward and Brisbane Lions captain Jonathan Brown, suffers from patellar tendinopathy in his left knee.
Giants' Sports Science Manager John Quinn said the club had been aware of the issue before picking the developing key forward and are confident that treatment will prevent any long-term effects.
"Patellar tendinopathy, or jumper's knee as it is also called, is not an uncommon condition in young players and something the club was aware of before we drafted Jonathon."
"As such, he has been on a modified training program since he joined the Giants and we have been monitoring him closely," Quinn said.
The injury will see his pre-season put on hold and he won't get back into full training until at least the start of the season.
"We want to ensure he receives the very best treatment possible and give him every opportunity to have a long career with the Giants," Quinn said.
"We need to take a very cautious approach with Jonathon and do whatever is required to get his knee right."
"We took our number two draft pick Stephen Coniglio to Sweden earlier this year to be assessed by the same specialist and he has responded positively and is on track to be available for selection for the start of the 2012 season."
"The club is aware that there are expectations of all draftees, particularly the number one pick, but we also believe Jonathon will be a 10-year player for the Giants and we want to give him every chance to achieve full fitness and fulfil his potential at the highest level."