Brownlow Medal favourite Gary Ablett requires reconstructive shoulder surgery and will miss the remainder of the AFL season as his Gold Coast Suns prepare to fight for a first ever finals appearance without their star captain.
Ablett dislocated his left shoulder in a tackle from Collingwood tagger Brent Macaffer last Saturday and missed the majority of the second half as the Suns fought off the Magpies to remain in eighth spot on the AFL ladder.
The dual Brownlow medallist has been at the forefront of Gold Coast’s rise from mediocrity into top eight contender and says his decision to pull the plug on season 2014 with a finals spot in the balance was one of the hardest of his career.
“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,” Ablett said Tuesday.
“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.”
Ablett opted to write off the rest of the season in favour of the quick-healing arthroscopic surgery, which could have enabled him to return after a four-week layoff, leaving a possible trip to the finals and a third Brownlow on the table.
The Suns have a one-game hold on the eighth position with Adelaide and Essendon, both with higher percentages, lurking just off the pace. A slightly softer run home will aid the Gold Coast effort, but a final three games against Port Adelaide, Essendon and West Coast will likely determine whether the Suns remain in the eight.
A consistently brilliant Ablett has averaged 32.1 disposals and six tackles per game in 2014, leading the league in contested possessions and clearances.
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