Collingwood's efforts to jump out of the AFLW doldrums have hit a snag, with club champion Chloe Molloy to miss the 2019 season.
The 19-year-old suffered a foot injury in the club's VFLW preliminary final loss to Geelong that requires surgery.
The Lisfranc injury is a huge blow for both the Magpies and Molloy, who won Collingwood's best and fairest and the award for best first-year player in the competition this year.
"It's devastating for Chloe," Collingwood performance and strategy manager Marcus Wagner said.
Molloy admitted her disappointment but said it could benefit the team in the long run.
"I was really looking forward to running out with the team again in 2019 but hopefully it creates an opportunity for another young footballer to work hard and achieve her dream," she said.
"While I won't be on the field with them, I'll do everything I can to help and support the team in 2019."
Featuring many players on their AFLW list, Collingwood were this year's VFLW minor premiers but were denied a place in the grand final by Geelong.
The Magpies have yet to impress in the national women's competition, finishing sixth this season and fifth in the inaugural season.
The heavyweight club pulled off a recruiting coup last week, announcing Australian international netballer Sharni Layton would try her hand at the sport in 2019.
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