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Ed Vickers-Willis will be sidelined for the 2019 AFL season with a knee injury, suffered in North Melbourne's heavy defeat in Perth to Fremantle.

North Melbourne youngster Ed Vickers-Willis won't play again in 2019 after suffering a serious knee injury in his side's round-one AFL loss to Fremantle.

The 22-year-old defender ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the first term of the Kangaroos' 82-point defeat in the west.

Vickers-Willis, sustaining the injury in just his 15th senior match, has a history of knee issues.

He was playing his first match since round seven last season when he slammed into a goalpost, resulting in a PCL injury.

"We're extremely disappointed for Ed who has worked extremely hard since his PCL injury to get back to playing footy," North Melbourne football boss Cameron Joyce said.

"He made the seamless transition back into the side throughout the JLT series and looked to be well positioned for a great season.

"He is a diligent worker and a true professional which will hold him in good stead on his road to recovery."

Vickers-Willis is likely to go under the knife this week.