Fremantle’s premiership hopes have suffered a significant blow, with the Dockers confirming star forward Aine Tighe will miss the remainder of the season with a ruptured ACL.

The vice-captain was taken from the field in the opening minutes of last weekend’s six-point win over the Demons with a right knee injury as she looked to change direction at right half-forward.

Tighe took no further part in the game but was seen on the sidelines before having scans straight after the contest.

Fremantle’s head of AFLW Claire Heffernan said the club was “devastated” for Tighe. “She is an incredibly important player and leader in our team and will be sorely missed on the field for the remainder of the 2024 season,” Heffernan said. “We have no doubt Aine will use every ounce of her determination to attack her rehabilitation with gusto. “We as a club will be steadfast in our support of her and will go above and beyond to make sure she has everything she needs to heal and repair from this injury.”

The 32-year-old has been dominant target up forward for the Dockers, booting four goals in their season-opening against Essendon, while she kicked a crucial major a fortnight later in the win over Port Adelaide.

It’s a massive blow for Tighe, who has already ruptured her left ACL twice since being recruited from Gaelic football side County Leitrim ahead of the 2020 season.

Dockers coach Lisa Webb praised Tighe in her post-match media conference after Saturday’s game, crediting the co-vice-captain’s leadership despite the injury.

“She honestly is incredible. She was up on the bench really early after she got ruled out of the game,” Webb said.

“She’s so good at staying on task. She’s a great leader and she’s very focused on what she wants for this team.”

Tighe finally made her debut in 2022 and has played 33 games since, leading the Dockers’ goalkicking for the past two seasons and has booted 28 majors in her career.

Midfielder Gabby O’Sullivan is the Dockers’ next leading goalkicker with four this season, with three of those coming in the victory over Melbourne.

Tighe’s season-ending injury leaves Serena Gibbs and Ariana Hetherington as the only active key forwards on Fremantle’s list.