Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett will miss the rest of the AFL season after opting to undergo shoulder reconstruction surgery.
The dual Brownlow medallist dislocated his shoulder in the third term of the Suns’ victory over Collingwood on Saturday.
Scans on Monday cleared Ablett of any bone damage, but after in-depth consultations with specialists in Melbourne, the superstar and club medical staff believed reconstructive surgery was the best way to repair the injury.
Ablett admitted the decision was very difficult.
“We have been extremely thorough in our review of the injury, and after careful consideration, reconstructive surgery was the decision to make, but the correct one,” Ablett said in a statement on Wednesday.
“This is the most significant injury of my playing career, and we have made the decision in the interest of my long-term playing career.
“It has been a very difficult decision, in particular as there is a temptation to compromise my shoulder’s long-term movement, in a bid to get back and assist the team to make our first finals appearance.”
The Suns general manager of football operations, Marcus Ashcroft, said the club supported Ablett’s decision.
“As a club we always have the long-term future of our players at the forefront of our minds when it comes to matters like these,” Ashcroft added.
“Gary knows his body better than anyone else, and we know that by having the surgery he will make a full recovery and be back better than ever ready for the 2015 season.”
There were suggestions on Tuesday Ablett was considering having minor surgery on his injured shoulder and be back by round 20 or 21.
It followed a visit to leading surgeon Greg Hoy, the man who rebuilt Carlton star Chris Judd’s shoulder.
Ablett’s availability through the rest of this season is massive for the Suns, who are on track for their first finals appearance, and for Brownlow Medal betting.
Before Ablett’s left shoulder popped out in a crunching tackle from Brent Macaffer, he was the clear favourite to win his third Brownlow.
Thomas
Guest
Agree with that assessment, although the whole deal is contingent on how the Suns mids respond to Ablett's absence - this could well be the making of some of them. The other item of interest will be the Suns draw for next year - I was hoping they'd sneak into 5th or 6th, get a home final and a nice tough draw in 2015. Little chance of that now I suspect.
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
Franko - this weekend v the Western Bulldogs is actually in Cairns not Melb, its a Doggies home game however. I would still favour the Suns in that one. Brisbane and St. Kilda will be wins: The Lions have no semblance of a forward line and were thrashed earlier this year by the Suns, St. Kilda are getting worse by the week and as noted earlier this year they only have one avenue to goal - N Riewoldt. Port = loss Carlton, Essendon and WCE all 50-50 and they will need maybe 1 win from these matches
Franko
Guest
v WB in Melb- Was a win, now 50/50 chance v Bris - Was a win, now who knows, BL can get up for one-off games v StK at GC - Was a win, remains a win v Carl in Melb - Was 50/50 now probably a loss v Port at GC - Was a 50/50 now probably a loss v Essendon in Melb - Was 50/50 now probably a loss v WCE at GC - Was a win, remains a win Will be very tight IMO
Mark
Guest
Really bloody sad
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
If the Suns make the finals it will be terribly unfair to Ablett who's played such a huge part in that club's existence. I almost hope they miss out this year. Almost...;)
Cat
Roar Guru
agreed, sucks not to see him out there, could careless about the brownlow, just enjoy watching the little master play.
AR
Guest
What a shame - but sounds as though it's the right long-term call.
Cat
Roar Guru
Based on their remaining schedule, I still think they will make it, but it may depend on whether Adelaide can pull a surprise win over Hawthorn this week now that Lake is out and Hawthorn is again lacking in tall defenders.
Franko
Guest
You still rekon they'll make the finals?
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Devastating news! To miss the Suns 1st Finals Campaign is very sad!