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North lose McDonald for 10 weeks in AFL

Steve LarkinAAP
Luke McDonald will miss at least 10 weeks of the AFL season because of a torn pectoral muscle.
Camera IconLuke McDonald will miss at least 10 weeks of the AFL season because of a torn pectoral muscle. Credit: AAP

North Melbourne vice-captain Luke McDonald will miss at least the next 10 weeks of the AFL season after having surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle.

McDonald was hurt during Saturday's loss to Adelaide - his first game of the season after recovering from a thigh injury.

The 26-year-old tore a pectoral muscle attempting to lay a tackle against the Crows.

"It's a really unlucky type of injury and it's really disappointing for us given we missed Luke at the start of the year," North Melbourne's general manager of football Brady Rawlings said.

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"We've gone to the specialists and the recommendation is for surgery so Luke will undergo surgery tomorrow to repair the torn pec.

"At this stage we think a recovery period in rehab probably around 10-12 weeks."

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Rawlings described the absence of reigning club champion McDonlad as a "huge loss" for the winless Kangaroos.

"He's vice-captain for a reason, he won our best-and-fairest last year for a reason ... he's such an important player," Rawlings said.

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