“It’s really disappointing for Matt who has been playing some great footy this year,” Adelaide high performance manager Darren Burgess said.

“Unfortunately, the severity of the injury requires surgery and he will miss the rest of the season.

“But the timing of it means he will begin his rehabilitation straight away and be ready for the start of pre-season.”

It comes amid uncertainty over two other key Crows ahead of Thursday night’s game against Richmond.

Captain Jordan Dawson is battling a foot complaint and former skipper Taylor Walker has suffered a recurrence of a back injury.

Dawson passed a matchday fitness test, but his output was noticeably reduced against the Hawks.

“There are a few boys that are a little bit sore and he’s another one that … had a sore foot going into the game,” assistant coach Jack Hombsch said on Monday of Dawson.

Key forward Walker was substituted at half-time because of his back issue – the 34-year-old missed his club’s season-opener with a similar complaint.

“We will know a bit more in the coming days, but obviously getting subbed out with the back, he’s hopefully recuperating,” Hombsch said.

The Crows have slid to 14th on the ladder with only four wins this season, and Hombsch said there was collective disappointment at their lacklustre display against Hawthorn.