Luckless Melbourne Storm winger Matt Duffie has been ruled out of the 2014 NRL season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury at training that will require surgery.
The injury, caused by an accidental collision at training, follows a similar injury last year as well as several bouts of shoulder surgery that have limited the one-time New Zealand test player to 53 games in four seasons, and just four games last year.
Melbourne Storm Football Director Frank Ponissi confirmed the injury as well as the club's continued support of the young winger.
"Matt is a very well liked and respected young man by all players and staff, everyone at the club is devastated for him," Ponissi said in a club statement.
"He is understandably shattered, and the club will continue to support him in every way on and off the field."
Duffie had played the club's opening trial match of 2014, before travelling to Auckland last weekend as a part of Storm's Auckland Nines campaign.
