A shattered Dennis crashed to the turf at training on Monday night, with scans revealing his “good knee” required major surgery.

Co-coach Chris Hyde said the promising utility had done everything right in his comeback after being injured against Lavington at Albury Sportsground in May last year.

“He’s shattered,” Hyde said.

“We were just playing a game of football handball when he changed direction and it went on him.

“You really feel for him because he’s a quality kid and has been flying at training.

“I’m sure he’ll come back hard though as he’s got a great attitude.”

Albury had high hopes for Dennis at the start of last season after several years of impressive form in reserve grade, with the Tigers set to play him across half-back or half-forward this season.

Dennis and Holbrook’s Jim Grills, who also missed last year with a knee reconstruction, had been among the standouts at pre-season training.

Meanwhile, prized Albury recruit Angus Graham has relocated to the Border.

The former Richmond and Adelaide ruckman trained with the reigning Ovens and Murray premier for the first time earlier this week and is eager to rediscover the passion he lost for football during the past two years with the Crows.

Graham, 27, will form an imposing big-man department with brothers Setanta and Aisake o’hAilpin.