St Kilda key defender Hugh Goddard ruptured his Achilles tendon in Sunday's loss to Adelaide Oval and faces up to 12 months on the sidelines. 

On a bleak day for the Saints, emerging key forward Paddy McCartin was also taken off the ground on a stretcher after he sustained some friendly fire midway through the second quarter. 

St Kilda Coach Alan Richardson confirmed the news in the wake of Sunday night's 87-point loss to Adelaide, with the injuries to the budding bookends compounding a tough day at the office. 

“Hughie’s a bad one. He’s ruptured his Achilles tendon. They are often 12 months. We’ll be hoping for better news but that looks like its going to be it, so really disappointing," Richardson told the media in his post-match press conference.

"Hughie’s story has been one of persistence, he hasn’t been able to get in the team before this week and we were looking for him to play some footy for us and that won’t happen now."

2014 No. 1 pick McCartin joined Goddard on the sidelines 30 minutes after the emerging backman exited the game, following a collision with Jack Newnes and Adelaide defender Luke Brown. Richardson said McCartin was taken to hospital for scans following the incident.

“He’s in hospital. He’s got a pretty heavy knock to the head. It looked like Newnes got him and then he might of got another one on the way down and possibly a bit of neck stuff in there too. As you can appreciate, we’re being really conservative, but he’s in good news," Richardson said.

Experience this Sunday’s game in the comfort of the Premier Lounge