In a big blow for the Gold Coast Suns, former skipper, Gary Ablett, will miss this week's clash with Melbourne due to a shoulder injury.
Suns' football manager, Marcus Ashcroft told reporters on Thursday, the two-time Brownlow Medalist has copped two knocks to his shoulder in the last two weeks.
"Unfortunately for Gary he got a shoulder knock in our Geelong game a few weeks ago," Ashcroft said.
"He did everything he could of to get himself right to play against Port Adelaide in China, unfortunately he suffered another knock in the same area in that game.
"We thought with the two-week rest before this weekend's match against Melbourne he’d be OK.
"Unfortunately today he did a fitness test, didn't feel quite right and on the advice of our medical team it was decided that Gary not play this weekend and be available for next weekend's match."
Gold Coast face the Demons at TIO Traeger Park in Alice Springs on Saturday afternoon.
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