Thornton suffered the injury early during last weekend’s 128-point win over Maryborough at Princes Park.

“He’s done for the year, unfortunately,” Sandhurst coach Wayne Primmer said on Wednesday.

“He’s obviously an important player to our side, as are all the players we’ve lost so far, but these things happen in football.

“There’s nothing we can do about it; Matt’s philosophical about it and he’ll now help out where he can from the bench.”

Renowned as one of the best marks in the competition, Thornton – who represented Victoria Country earlier in the year – is also one of the BFNL’s top swingmen with his ability to play key position at either end of the ground, as well as in the ruck.

Thornton, 28, suffered the injury when a Magpies’ opponent landed on his foot while laying a tackle.

“It’s disappointing to be finished for the year, particularly when we are just starting to get a few back,” Thornton said.

“But things are on the up for the club and I’ll just have to do what I can to help from the bench.”

While it’s season over for Thornton, Primmer says there’s a chance reigning Michelsen medallist Kristan Height could return as early as next week from a serious thumb injury.

The club’s other Michelsen medallist, Tim Martin, is also a chance of getting back from a knee injury for the finals should the Dragons make it.

Premiership player Nick Stagg, who has endured knee and leg issues, played in the reserves last weekend in his comeback bid.

And in a further positive for the Dragons, another of their 2016 premiership players in defender Hamish Leahy following an illness also played his first game of the season in the reserves last weekend.

With two rounds remaining the Dragons have fought their way back into the top five, half-a-game clear of South Bendigo.

The Dragons, who have used 38 players this season, will start favourites in their last two games – both at the QEO – against Kangaroo Flat this Saturday, followed by Gisborne.