Wangaratta's Matt Hedin injured the same knee in his comeback game against Lavington's reserves in round two following a reconstruction a year ago.

“I went up in a marking contest to spoil the footy and came down heavily on my knee,” he said.

“I haven't exactly torn the graft or ruptured the ligament, it's pulled away from its attachement on the bone.

“In theory, it's the same sort of result, it results in another reco depending on if the graft can heal or not.”

Hedin is hoping for a lifeline after speaking with his Melbourne surgeon Hayden Morris.

“He's suggesting giving it five or six weeks, there's potential for it to heal back on to the bone,” he said.

“If that works, I'll potentially play in 12 weeks.

“If worse comes to worse, I'm booked into surgery in six weeks time.”

Pies' coach Dean Stone said after the defender's second injury, he was devastated for him.

However, Hedin is taking the news as philosophically as possible.

“Hopefully it works out for the best,” he said.

“He's suggesting giving it five or six weeks, there's potential for it to heal back on to the bone.”

It adds another name to a growling injury list for the reigning premiers with SANFL recruit Craig Evans and big man Josh Porter both ruled out of last weekend’s loss to Albury.

The Magpies have this weekend off and return to action the following Saturday with a home clash against Yarrawonga.

It caps off a tough opening month for Wangaratta who will have faced every other team that played finals last year in the first four games.