Essendon midfielder David Zaharakis will miss at least the next six weeks as he is set to undergo surgery to repair his shoulder.

The 28-year-old suffered an injury to his sternoclavicular joint during the first quarter of the Bombers' Dreamtime at the 'G loss to Richmond on Saturday night, and will have surgery after meeting with a specialist on Monday.

Zaharakis hasn't missed a game since round 16, 2016, playing the past 41 games for Essendon.

This season, the midfielder is averaging a career-high 26.7 disposals and 4.9 marks per game, while also recording 2.9 clearances and 4.1 tackles per contest.