The 22-year-old, recruited from East Fremantle, has become a ball magnet since his debut for the Lions in round 16 last season.
He gathered just 11 touches in the Lions’ 93 point loss to Geelong in an uncharacteristically quiet display, but what was initially thought to be a cork, has turned out to be a damaged posterior cruciate ligament.
Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss said the midfielder would be out for a significant portion of the season with the injury.
“That is going to take a bit of time to heal,” Voss said.
“Having done one myself, they do take a little bit of time because you’ve got to make sure that the joint gets really tight and they scar up.”
Dalziell won’t require surgery but he’ll have to wear a knee brace and get around on crutches for some time, with an intensive rehabilitation period expected to take at least 12 weeks.
“We’ve got to make sure we do the right thing there and give him every chance to recover because he is part of the younger brigade and with a PCL you’ve got to get it right otherwise it can have an impact on your knee later on in your career,” Voss said.
The injury blow comes on top of long term injuries to ruckmen Matthew Leuenberger and Jamie Charman.
The upside for Voss is that he may get the chance to blood some youngsters he’s been hoping to give a run for some time.
“We’ve still got some young guys who are playing some good football in the reserves,” Voss said.
“Sam Sheldon is playing very well and Matthew Austin is playing very well so they may get their opportunities.”
