Garner out until 2017 AFL season

Young North Melbourne forward Taylor Garner won't appear again until 2017 after heading in for knee surgery.

The 22-year-old has played just three AFL matches this season - the first three rounds of the season - before hamstring and knee injuries took over.

North Melbourne football boss Geoff Walsh said his latest setback was to develop a cyst at the back of his knee which would require surgery.

"Attempts to treat him conservatively have been unsuccessful and the medical team has deemed it necessary for him to go in for an operation," Walsh said.

Garner has played just 16 times since his debut in 2013.