Lincoln McCarthy has suffered a significant setback just before the Lions’ opening match, as he has been ruled out for the entire 2025 season due to a serious ACL injury. The 31-year-old forward missed most of the previous season for the same reason, affecting his right knee.
Despite his hard work to secure a position in the Lions’ squad for the upcoming game, McCarthy reported swelling and discomfort to the club’s medical team during training last week. Subsequent scans confirmed an ACL rupture, which necessitates surgery and extensive recovery, keeping him off the field for nearly a year.
The Brisbane Lions officially announced the news in a statement on Tuesday afternoon. General manager Danny Daly expressed the club’s disappointment at McCarthy’s injury, highlighting the emotional toll it takes on him, his family, and the entire Lions community. He acknowledged McCarthy’s determination during his previous recovery and is confident that the player will approach this challenge with the same resilience.
Since joining from Geelong seven years ago, McCarthy has made a notable impact, scoring 142 goals in 122 games for the Lions. Originally, Brisbane was set to start its AFL season against Geelong last week, but that match was postponed due to Cyclone Alfred’s effects. The Lions will now face the Sydney Swans in a highly anticipated grand final rematch this Saturday, though it will be without McCarthy’s contributions.