He remained in the ambulance until the end of the match, when the players swamped him to show their support.

Inglis’ injury was not the only sour note in the Devils’ 54-point win over Melton South, with star recruit Shane O’Bree also succumbing to a hamstring injury.

The former Collingwood and Brisbane Lions star had racked up 25 disposals and kicked two goals when he strained his hamstring midway through the third quarter.

He told The Courier after the match he did not feel the injury was too bad and hoped to be fully fit when he was next available to play for Darley.

“The guy baulked me, I should have just let him go but I tried to chase him down and it went,” he said.

“But hopefully it’s not too serious and we can get it right in a couple of months time.

“The tempo was pretty fierce, it was quicker than what I thought it would be.”

The loss of regular key contributor Inglis will probably have a greater impact on the Devils’ season however.

Coach Rod MacPherson said the club had already been rocked by injuries, with the Inglis injury to leave a big hole in the team.

“It’s a massive rip out of the heart of the club. It’s really disappointing for Brad because it’s potentially a season-ending injury,” he said. “It’s a big rip to our leadership, he’s been phenomenal, he’s not a big talker Brad but he’s a big doer on the field.

“It’s going to be a massive test for the club, we have one more match then they bye, hopefully we can start getting a few guys back in.”