Scans have confirmed that young Lions forward Bryce Retzlaff has suffered a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament and will miss the remainder of the 2012 season.

Retzlaff, 20, leapt in a one-on-one marking contest on the wing and landed awkwardly during the opening minute of the Lions Reserves clash with the Gold Coast on Saturday.

He was taken off immediately and whisked into the rooms for treatment, and later returned hobbling on crutches with a heavily-iced left knee.

The ACL tear was confirmed after scans yesterday, and Retzlaff will have surgery today (Tuesday).

Retzlaff was drafted by the Lions in 2009 and named at centre-half-forward in the NEAFL ‘Team of the Year’ in 2010. He played eleven senior games last year, highlighted by a 12 disposal, two goal effort in the team's surprise away win over Adelaide.

The injury is an unfortunate end to a promising season for the Reserves skipper, who sits third on the NEAFL goal-kicking standing with 35, including a season-high bag of 7 against the UWS Giants in round 9.