Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett will miss the rest of the AFL season after opting to undergo shoulder reconstruction surgery.

The dual Brownlow medallist dislocated his shoulder in the third term of the Suns’ victory over Collingwood on Saturday.

Scans on Monday cleared Ablett of any bone damage, but after in-depth consultations with specialists in Melbourne, the superstar and club medical staff believed reconstructive surgery was the best way to repair the injury.

Ablett admitted the decision was very difficult.

“We have been extremely thorough in our review of the injury, and after careful consideration, reconstructive surgery was the decision to make, but the correct one,” Ablett said in a statement on Wednesday.

“This is the most significant injury of my playing career, and we have made the decision in the interest of my long-term playing career.

“It has been a very difficult decision, in particular as there is a temptation to compromise my shoulder’s long-term movement, in a bid to get back and assist the team to make our first finals appearance.”