Struth’s omission will rob the Roosters of midfield grunt in the Hampden league’s final eight home-and-away rounds. 

The experienced onballer injured himself against North Warrnambool Eagles in round nine and missed South Warrnambool’s 72-point loss to Warrnambool on Sunday.

South Warrnambool had hoped Struth would return after the bye for the Roosters’ round 12 clash against Koroit but scans revealed significant damage.

Struth, 25, said he had torn a tendon half off the bone and had two muscle tears — one 14 centimetres long and another eight.

“I did it a bit of a different way. I had someone fall on my back and I did the splits at the same time and got crunched,” he said.

“It’s a bit frustrating but you do what you can to get back now.”

Roosters coach Matthew Monk said Struth was in pain straight away when he suffered the injury against the Eagles.

He said Struth landed awkwardly in a contest. 

“He’s done it, as they say in the classics, ‘good and proper’,” he said.

Monk said Struth’s loss was a major blow to the Roosters’ developing midfield.

Struth rejoined South Warrnambool last season after a three-year stint at VFL club North Ballarat Roosters, where he played two senior games to complement his 48 reserves appearances.

Along with brothers Nick and Sam Thompson, he had led the way in the middle this season as South Warrnambool pumped games into its promising teenage players.

“When you are a developing club like us with kids you need your better, more experienced players on the park,” Monk said.

“Zacc will certainly stay involved and he’s in the leadership group and has a keen interest in the development of our players.

“He’s already committed to next year, as a few of them have.”

Monk said South Warrnambool was hopeful utility Sam Kelly and veteran Scott Maddern would return from injury after the Hampden league bye. 

Teenager Jock Blair, who hurt his leg in round one, is also on the comeback trail.