The Demons have also lost young midfielder Matt Klemke for six weeks with cartilage damage in his knee while experienced defender Geoff Spriggs will miss Saturday’s game against Coolamon with a hamstring strain.

The list of walking wounded following last week’s win over Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong also includes Luke Powell (ankle) and Nathan Fuller (groin). 

But Perryman’s season-ending injury was the toughest to accept.

“It's heartbreaking for him,” Collingullie-GP coach Brett Lenon said.

“He’s had a massive pre-season and this was his break-out year.

“The way he started the season, he was going to be rubbing shoulders with the best on-ballers in the comp.

“He’s really taken his footy to another level. He’ll bounce back next year.”

It was a roller-coaster week for Perryman, who feared the worst when he injured his right knee at Ganmain before being given hope that he hadn’t ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament. 

However, scans during the week confirmed a reconstruction is required.

It will be Perryman’s second, having had the left knee done when he was 15, and he hopes to go in for surgery as soon as next week. 

“I want to get it done as quickly as possible so I can start the rehab and get back for next year,” Perryman said.

“It’s the only thing you can really do.”

The 19-year old’s trying to focus on the future but admitted it’s a devastating blow to not play a role in the bid for a third straight flag.

“A bit shattered actually, yeah, I wanted to win another one with the boys,” he said.

“I think we had a pretty good side. But you’ve just got to get on with it.”

So, too, do his teammates now – beginning with Coolamon at the Crossroads Oval.

The Demons will also be without Jimmy Kennedy (calf) and Danny Frawley (unavailable).

Lenon said the setbacks will be a test of character for his side, whose gutsy win over the Lions last week was their first for the season.

But they also present an opportunity.

“You get to have a look at these young blokes where you probably wouldn’t have,” Lenon said.

“We’re blooding James Demby – he’s a young excitement machine and he’ll start on the forward flank.”

Importantly, ruckman Tom Keogh returns, as well as the Byrnes brothers – with Joe to replace Spriggs at full-back, where he’ll get the job on dangerous Coolamon forward Joel Dalton.