A devastated Rhys Palmer admits he was almost reduced to tears after learning he had suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Palmer injured his right knee late in last week's 21-point AFL win over Sydney but initially believed he had escaped any major damage.

However, subsequent scans revealed the worst-case scenario - he had torn his anterior cruciate ligament and required a total knee reconstruction.

"When I came to the club on Monday morning I still thought I was a chance to play against the Eagles this week," Palmer told the Fremantle website.

"So to be told that I won't be able to play this week, let alone the whole season, was pretty devastating, a tear came to my eye.

"I went home and spoke to my dad about it.

"In hindsight I only miss 17 games.

"I spoke to Harvs (coach Mark Harvey) and he said a lot of players have had a knee reconstruction and they come back 100 per cent, so that was probably the most reassuring thing.

"It will give me an opportunity to get my body right and get bigger and better in the gym and get a few things with my game right."

The loss of Palmer, winner of last year's Rising Star award, is a massive blow to the Dockers who have relied heavily on the 20-year-old's ball-winning ability this season.

Matt de Boer has been called up to replace Palmer for Saturday's western derby clash.

Palmer will go under the knife on Friday and said he had spoken to Paul Hasleby about the challenges ahead after the veteran midfielder underwent a knee reconstruction last year.

"Me and Haze are starting to get a lot of things alike," Palmer joked.

"I spoke to him before and he said there's a lot more people worse off than us.

"We are only going to be out for a year of our footy career so he said keep your chin up and work hard and you'll be back, it was pretty straight forward.

"I'm not too sure if it's sunk in just yet.

"I think it will sink in when the boys run out on the weekend and I won't be a part of that.

"So that will be a challenge in itself. I'll have to wait and see how I deal with it."

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