Kirley was injured at the 16-minute mark of the final quarter when bumped by his Pies’ opponent.

The vision on O&M TV doesn’t clearly show the point of contact near the middle of the ground.

“I wouldn’t have a clue (what happened), I haven’t even looked at the footage yet, I genuinely don’t know,” Kirley said.

The 19-year-old went to Wangaratta hospital after the game.

“Originally, they thought it might have been bruising, but I got scans to make sure and it showed three fractures,” he said.

Kirley had surgery in Melbourne on Tuesday with the surgeon inserting a plate in his cheekbone, which will stay there throughout his life.

“They hope I’ll be able to do some running in about four weeks, but no ballwork,” he said.

“They’re thinking it will be about eight weeks.

“It’s pretty disappointing, that’s for sure.”

It’s the first major injury of Kirley’s senior career.

And the injury will further test the Panthers’ depth, less than a month into the season.

Lavington picked up some top-end talent over summer, including coach and former NEAFL star Simon Curtis and ex-VFL defender Nick Meredith.

But the club lost seven players, including Jack Nunn.

The Panthers have already been without Brant Dickson, Adam Butler and Hayden Singe ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Roos.