Janelle Cuthbertson has sadly had her NAB AFLW season cut short, suffering a finger injury during Saturday’s game against Sydney.

In what appeared to be an innocuous incident, Cuthbertson knocked her finger during a tackle in the third term, but played out the rest of the game.

Imaging has since shown that she sustained a torn flexor tendon in her left middle finger and will require surgery in the coming days.

The All-Australian defender will continue playing a valuable off-field leadership role as co-vice-captain.