PORT Adelaide has lost Jackson Trengove for the rest of the season after the defender had a shoulder reconstruction.
Trengove and the club's medical staff had been managing the injured right shoulder for more than a month but decided to put the 24-year-old in for surgery.
High performance manager Darren Burgess said Trengove's shoulder had been "popping in and out" during matches.
With the Power effectively out of finals contention, the club has decided to take a long-term view with the 2011 best and fairest winner.
"It's just got to the point where it has to be done and we always take a long-term view on what is best for the player," Burgess said.
"It came out at the end of the Bulldogs game and it actually shifted in the first quarter against Greater Western Sydney.
"Also the concern is that it happens in the first contact of the game and you're down a player straight away."
Trengove won't be able to participate in full training for over three months, but the club is confident it won't affect his pre-season.
"It'll be in a sling for six weeks but he'll be right to start full training in 14 weeks so he'll be right for pre-season," Burgess said.
Shoulder surgery went well thanks for all the support looking forward to a big 2016 #
— Jackson Trengove12 (@Jacksontrengove) August 19, 2015