Martin was forced to leave the field midway through the first quarter of Saturday night's 18-point win over Richmond after diving for an errant kick from teammate Tom Lynch.

 

He stayed down before being led down the race by the Suns’ medical team, clutching his left shoulder.

 

It was later diagnosed it had been dislocated and the exciting midfielder will now have scans early in the week to assess the full extent of the damage.

 

Suns coach Guy McKenna was not holding out great hope after the win.

 

"I don't think it's great news," McKenna said.

 

"I spoke to him at half-time, he's done one before, so we won't know until we get a scan.

 

"He'll spend some time away from football but I don't know how long yet.

 

"Sometimes you can do that (dislocate it) and play the next week. We've got our fingers crossed but I don't like our chances."

 

Martin had been expected to make a similar impact to last season’s Rising Star Jaeger O’Meara, with Suns’ coaching director Malcolm Blight describing him as the best young prospect he had seen in more than a generation.

 

Picked up at the end of 2012 via the 17-year-old GWS mini-draft, Martin was unable to play for the Suns last season but shone for their NEAFL team, collecting the best and fairest award.

 

The Suns lost another rotation against Richmond when key forward Charlie Dixon wasn't able to resume after half-time due to concussion.

 

"We went through protocols and the doc said he couldn't come back on," McKenna said.