In a crippling blow to the Brookers’ chances of remaining a league heavyweight, Lamb is yet to undergo a scan expected to reveal he has once again ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.

Lamb went down at training on Thursday night, almost exactly 12 months after he suffered his initial ACL injury in round 2 last season against Lockhart.

He was on track for his comeback match on April 26, with Holbrook having the bye this weekend, followed by the Easter bye.

“It happened on Thursday night in a fairly innocuous incident where he was just changing direction,” Holbrook co-coach Jarrod Twitt said.

“He hasn’t had the scans yet but feels certain he has done his knee again.

“It’s a cruel blow because he gone through all the ups and downs with his rehab and to have this happen now when he is getting to the end of his career.

“He was obviously devastated and has indicated to us that he will retire.

“I think the emotional rollercoaster eventually takes its toll on everyone.

“Lamby followed me out to Holbrook from Wodonga and we have been close friends for a long time.

“He has trained and played his guts out for me and it’s certainly sad and disappointing to see it end this way.”

Lamb’s injury continues a recent spate of bad luck for the Brookers.

High profile Wodonga recruit Brett Doswell lasted less than a minute in last year’s grand final after tearing his calf at the opening bounce.

Regular full back Dylan Fairall also missed the decider after fracturing a shoulder in the preliminary final.

Wagga Tigers recruit Tom Power also suffered a season-ending knee injury in a practice match last month.

“It seems if we didn’t have bad luck we would have no luck at the moment,” Twitt said.

“But that’s footy and we can only play with the cards we have been dealt.

“We have got a really exciting young group and the focus is on preparing them well each week and giving them all the skills and tools they need to be successful.

“That’s our goal and it will be interesting to see how far that takes us.”