North Melbourne Football Club has been dealt a significant blow with the confirmation that defender Jackson Archer has sustained a complete anterior cruciate ligament rupture during a pre-season training session. The devastating injury occurred on Saturday when the 23-year-old went down during drills, with subsequent medical scans revealing the full extent of the damage.
The club issued an official statement confirming the season-ending setback: “The club will continue to support Archer as he meets with the medical team this week to work through his rehabilitation program.” This development marks another chapter in what has been a frustrating period for the young athlete, who managed only three appearances in the 2025 season following his breakthrough performance the previous year.
Archer’s recent career has been plagued by multiple setbacks, including a controversial Round 1 suspension last season followed by separate hamstring and ankle injuries that limited his participation. The latest ACL injury represents perhaps the most challenging obstacle yet for the talented defender, who comes from impressive football lineage—his father Glenn Archer played over 300 games for the Kangaroos and earned the prestigious Norm Smith Medal in 1996.
The injury not only impacts Archer’s personal career trajectory but also represents a significant loss for North Melbourne’s defensive lineup as they prepare for the upcoming season. The club now faces the challenge of reorganizing their defensive strategy while supporting Archer through what is typically a 9-12 month rehabilitation process for such injuries.