Kate McCarthy and Tarni White will be forced to the sidelines after sustaining knee injuries in Sunday’s match against Fremantle. 

Dynamic forward McCarthy injured her left MCL after getting her leg caught in a tackle in the third quarter, while White ruptured her left ACL in the opening stages of the game. 

It’s the second ACL for the 19-year-old Queenslander, who first injured her right knee in her draft year, subsequently dashing her chances of an earlier call-up to the AFLW. 

White will miss the remainder of the 2020 AFLW Season, while there is no current timeline on McCarthy’s return.

AFLW Senior Coach, Peta Searle, said it was devastating to see the two Saints go down. 

“We’re devastated to have lost Kate and Tarni,” Searle told saints.com.au. 

“As a team we’re getting around them and making sure they get any support they need.” 

McCarthy had become a popular Saint through her speed and willingness to take the game on, while White’s consistent performances down back were a shining light for the red, white and black. 

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“Kate is a much-loved figure among the playing group and she has been playing outstanding footy,” Searle said. 

“We’ll miss her leadership on the on the field, but she’ll continue to bring that infectious energy as part of the leadership group. 

“Tarni is a great up-and-coming talent, and sometimes it’s hard to believe how young she is. 

“It’s heartbreaking news for her, especially given her injury history, but we know she’ll bounce back stronger than before.” 

The pair join Nadia von Bertouch on the sidelines, who innocuously ruptured her right ACL during the Saints’ maiden match against the Western Bulldogs.