The 21-year-old was stretchered from the ground during Saturday’s clash with Nirranda.

Harding was taken to hospital immediately for x-rays, which he said revealed comforting news.

"It's positive signs at the moment and things are looking good," he said.

"I get more scans on Friday so we will soon know more, but I don't think it’s as bad as first thought.

"At this stage it looks like it could be a medial or collateral (ligament), possibly a tear. But it is definitely improving, I can put weight on it and am walking around on crutches.”

The former Cobden player admitted he thought his season could have been over.

"I was thinking the worst just because of the way it felt," he said.

"It didn't feel good and I thought I did something pretty serious.

"I broke the same leg nearly four years ago in a speedway incident and had to have a skin graft and have a rod and screws in it, so they were a bit worried about that.

"At first they were thinking I might need a knee reconstruction, but it doesn't look like that now."

Harding said he was still “really frustrated” despite the positive news.

"You never want to go down in big games, and Timboon as a club has been great to me. And as it gets to the business end of the season there's a bit more pressure to get back playing,” he said.

"So hopefully I can get back out there soon and help them play finals."