THE SEASON of Collingwood's Tyson Goldsack has come to an early end with the swingman to undergo knee surgery this week.
The 28-year-old has been struggling with knee tendinitis for much of the season's second half and hasn't played in the AFL since round 17.
Before that, he missed three weeks with the complaint.
The Magpies are confident the 2010 premiership player will be ready to start pre-season on time.
Match preview: Cats v Magpies
"It will take him awhile to get over [the operation] but he should be fine to jump into the pre-season for next year," director of football Neil Balme told the club's website.
He's not the only Pie put out to pasture this week.
They've pulled the pin on trying to get 2013 first round NAB AFL Draft selection Nathan Freeman on the field, with his problematic hamstring also forcing him into an early off-season.
"His hamstring's not too bad but we've decided he won't play for the rest of the season, we'll just work on getting that right," Balme said.
"He's had a terrible run but we're sure we'll get him right for next year."
Freeman has managed just four VFL games in two seasons because of issues with his hamstring, after being drafted with pick No.10 overall nearly two years ago.
Defender Jackson Ramsay (shin), forward Tim Broomhead (shoulder) and rookie Brenden Abbott (shoulder) are also done for 2015.
However forward Corey Gault (groin/hip) is expected to line up in the VFL this weekend.
