HARD-LUCK North Melbourne defender Ed Vickers-Willis' season is over prematurely for the second straight year.

The 22-year-old will undergo surgery to repair the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, after crashing into a behind post at the SCG in the Roos' round seven victory over Sydney.

"It's devastating news for Ed and the second time he's had an AFL season end prematurely in as many years," North football boss Cameron Joyce said.

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"He'll have an operation later this week and we'll do everything we can as a club to get around him and support him.

"Despite the news, he's in good spirits and knowing how he went about his rehab last time around, we're supremely confident that he'll bounce back from this latest setback."

Vickers-Willis had played every game this season until the freak incident, which caused the same damage as the one which cost him the final 11 rounds of 2017.

Injury has cruelled his progress at AFL level since being the No.36 pick in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.

A serious shoulder issue ended his debut campaign early and delayed his start to 2016 before last year's knee setback.

Vickers-Willis had finally established himself in the Kangaroos' backline in 2018, but will have to wait to add to his 14 matches.

"Despite his relative inexperience, we were delighted with the way Ed was playing alongside the likes of Robbie Tarrant, Scott Thompson, Majak Daw, Marley Williams and Jamie Macmillan down back," Joyce said.

"He was missed on Sunday against Richmond and will certainly be missed throughout the rest of the year."