Scans have confirmed that defender Tylar Young suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in yesterday's VFL match against Essendon.

The injury will rule Young out for the remainder of the season.

Young, 25, has played 28 senior games for Richmond since joining the Club from the VFL program in the 2022 AFL Rookie Draft.

Young was awarded the Bill Cosgrove/Harry Jenkins Best First-Year Player trophy at last year's Jack Dyer Medal; such was the quality of his debut season.

Richmond General Manager- Football Performance Tim Livingstone said it was a devastating blow for the key defender.

“It is disappointing for Tylar, who has been an important player for us across the past 18 months," he said.

“We will give Tylar all the support he needs and help him throughout his rehabilitation. He is still a young player, and we know he will return fit, strong, and ready to continue to make an impact in 2025."

Young had been a mainstay at senior level again this year, playing every game he was available for up until Saturday.

The injury occurred in the first quarter of the VFL Dreamtime Curtain Raiser.