The initial success of Nick Malceski's groundbreaking knee operation is set to tempt other AFL clubs to follow suit.

While Malceski has played just three games for Sydney since resuming from knee surgery only 12 weeks after the initial injury, it is clear that other clubs are watching closely.

Brisbane Lions' coach Leigh Matthews said the implications were quite obvious. "I'm sure if it's successful and it continues, then it will be explored," said Matthews. "Everyone would rather three months off than 12 months."

Like a few clubs, the Lions' medical staff currently insist on a 12-month rehabilitation from knee reconstructions. However, Brisbane strength and conditioning coordinator Lachlan Penfold acknowledged that the club was interested in Malceski's progress.

"To my mind, he's got to get through a few more games before you say it's successful," said Penfold. "If he makes it through this season, that surgeon who did it is going to have a long waiting list. If it's successful this year I reckon a lot of guys will go that way.

"Then you'll be able to judge it over a number of players. A one-off test case is not a really good indicator."

Malceski, Sydney's slick half-back, ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the pre-season, but had a synthetic ligament installed rather than a graft from a tendon, which is the traditional method. The operation is being promoted by a French surgeon, and it is controversial, but not necessarily new.

Three Footscray players, including Doug Hawkins, had similar operations in the 1980s. Two suffered recurrences but Hawkins' operation was successful.

Socceroos medico and Age columnist Peter Brukner said more time was needed to assess the situation. "The problem is that one case doesn't prove anything," said Brukner. "Whether Malceski breaks down tomorrow, or survives the full season, it really doesn't prove a thing. You need to get 100 (cases) to prove anything. The jury is still out on that. It's a risk they've taken and so far it's come off, and good luck to them."

However, Brukner admitted some clubs may try the surgery in the short term. "It'll depend on the circumstances. It's probably good for those ones we do in February, where you've at least got a chance of playing that year. We may see it in an older player, one who doesn't want to lose a season off. It might be their last or second-last season," said Brukner.

"I don't think it'll become the standard operation at this stage anyway. In certain circumstances some clubs may be prepared to do it. It's a risk-benefit sort of thing. We know that the old way works 90% of the time. What we don't know - we suspect that it's less than 90% with this one - but we don't know if it's 85 or five."