Hayden Young’s 2025 season is on life support, with Fremantle revealing a harrowing diagnosis after the star midfielder re-injured his hamstring in their loss to St Kilda.

Young went under the knife on Tuesday, after he was substituted out of Friday night’s horror loss, with the club confirming he will spend months on the sidelines.

“It’s so disappointing for Youngy, who’s reaggravated an old hamstring injury and gone in for surgery,” high performance manager Phil Merriman told club media.

“Even though it’s not in a traditional spot of a normal hamstring injury, it will be around 10-12 weeks away.

At a minimum, Young won’t be available until round 19 but given his history, the Dockers will be reluctant to rush him back, which will likely see him racing to be fit before the last rounds of any potential finals campaign.

The Dockers are already without midfielders Nat Fyfe, Jaeger O’Meara and Nathan O’Driscoll through injury ahead of Thursday night’s blockbuster clash with Collingwood at Optus Stadium.

However, O’Driscoll could return soon with Merriman saying the 22-year-old midfielder had “turned a corner” in his recovery from an ankle injury.

“He’s got a couple more hurdles he’ll have to jump over, but it’s looking promising.”

The Dockers have also finally put a timeline on veteran star Michael Walters’ return, who has not been available all season with a knee complaint, with O’Meara also facing a similar wait.

“Both of them will be around the post-bye game, they’re both progressing really well, Sonny has been building up his loads on the field,” Merrimen said.

“Jaeger’s a little bit slower at this stage with the foot, but we still see round 14 as the appropriate time.”

Young missed the start of the Dockers’ campaign with two strains to his right hamstring but strung together three consecutive games in the AFL after returning through the WAFL.

Dockers star Caleb Serong said he felt for Young.

“I wanted to cry for him on Friday night. It was tough,” Serong said.

“He’s a tough bugger though and he’ll continue to work and get himself back out there. I know he’s had a scan. I’m not sure of the exact results yet. I know he’ll do everything he can to be back out there at some stage this year.”

FREMANTLE INJURY LIST

Nathan O’Driscoll (ankle) test

Ollie Murphy (concussion) 1 week

Nat Fyfe (hamstring) 5 weeks

Jaeger O’Meara (hamstring/foot) 5 weeks

Sam Sturt (knee) 5 weeks

Micahel Walters (knee) 5 weeks

Brandon Walker (shoulder) 10 weeks

Hayden Young (hamstring) 10-12 weeks

Odin Jones (back) season