Elijah Hollands celebrates a goal for Vic Country during the 2019 NAB AFL U18 Championships

ONE OF this year's most talented draft prospects is set to miss all of this season after suffering a knee injury this week.

Elijah Hollands, who has been viewed as one of the leading contenders for the No.1 pick in the 2020 pool, went down with the left knee injury at training on Tuesday.

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The 18-year-old had been bracing for bad news and it was confirmed on Wednesday when clubs were notified that he had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.

Elijah Hollands (right) attempts to tackle the 2019 No.1 draft pick, Matt Rowell, during a Vic Metro v Vic Country clash at the 2019 NAB AFL U18 Championships. Picture: AFL Photos

Hollands was set to play the majority of this season with the Murray Bushrangers in the NAB League, having finished his schooling at Caulfield Grammar last year. 

He is also one of Vic Country's most accomplished draft hopefuls, having featured in the under-18 national carnival last season as a bottom-ager. 

Hollands, whose father Ben played eight games for Richmond in 1999, is a powerful forward and midfielder who boasts strength, a booming kick and smarts around goal. 

He showed on Grand Final day in the NAB All Stars 'Futures' clash that he can also take those traits into the midfield, when he had 24 disposals, five clearances and kicked two goals. 

Elijah Hollands celebrates a goal during the NAB All Stars Futures game on Grand Final day. Picture: AFL Photos

Recruiters have shown in recent years they are willing to take on players who have suffered serious knee injuries in their draft years with early picks. 

Jake Lever (2014), Ryan Burton (2015), Aiden Bonar (2017), Max King (2018) and Brodie Kemp (last year) were all selected in the first round of their respective drafts despite missing significant chunks of their under-18 campaigns due to knee injuries.