Jong, who lost his spot in the premiership-winning Bulldogs side following a collarbone injury, suffered the injury to his right knee in Sunday's loss to Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

The 24-year-old underwent scans on Monday which confirmed an ACL rupture, requiring a full reconstruction.

"I'm afraid today that scans have confirmed our fear that Lin Jong has ruptured his ACL," club physiotherapist Chris Bell said.

"We're all devastated for Jongy and we'll put a really strong support network around him.

"He'll undergo a conventional hamstring tendon reconstruction later this week but we look forward to seeing Jongy back into some football in the early parts of 2018."

Jong has played every Bulldogs match this season, having missed out in last year's Grand Final.

"It's obviously pretty upsetting," Jong told reporters outside a Prahran clinic.

"I was pretty devastated at the time. I'm just kind of processing it.

"I've got a lot of texts of support and advice just to take it day-by-day."