The Queensland Firebirds have been dealt a major injury blow with centre Mahalia Cassidy ruled out for the Super Netball season after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament.
The 21-year-old suffered the injury in a training match on Friday in an uncontested piece of play, catching the ball and twisting her knee.
Scans over the weekend confirmed the extent of the injury, putting her out for the inaugural season of the new netball league.
Cassidy was set to replace Kim Ravaillion in midcourt after her departure to Collingwood.
"We really felt it for Mahalia, she was absolutely firing and ready to go - this was her season to step up and be our main centre," Firebirds teammate Gretel Tippett told reporters on Monday.
"It's been a tough few days I was so excited for her.
"She's a very exciting player and she's so tough, something the league hasn't seen before.
"I think everyone knew when they heard her scream that it was bad. They knew straight away it was her ACL."
Kristen Oxenford from the second-tier Queensland Fusion is in the frame to take over from Cassidy after training with the Firebirds in the summer.
However, coach Roselee Jenckee is assessing her options within the current squad, and Tippett expects she will rattle through different combinations until she finds the right fit.
"I honestly have no idea. I think a few girls might be jumping at the opportunity, Gabi Simpson might get a run in there, or Caitlyn Nevins - it'll be interesting," she said.
The injury comes at an awful time for the Firebirds, on the eve of this weekend's season opener against new franchise Sunshine Coast Lightning.
"It adds an extra bit to the new competition, it's going to be a massive rivalry - with NSW Swifts and us last year, I think it'll be even bigger," Tippett said.
