Gary Ablett will not line up against the Bulldogs on Saturday in Cairns, with the Suns captain opting to undergo season ending surgery on his shoulder.

The 30-year-old dislocated his left shoulder during the Suns clash against Collingwood in round 16 and on medical advice has made the decision to undergo reconstructive surgery.

“We have been extremely thorough in our review of the injury, and after careful consideration, reconstructive surgery was a tough decision to make, but the correct one,” Ablett told SunsTV today.

“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.”

Suns General Manager Football Operations Marcus Ashcroft said the club were supportive of their skipper’s decision to undergo surgery, taking a long-term approach to his health.

“Gary has been presented with an extremely difficult decision; as a club we always have the long-term future of our players at the forefront of our minds when it comes to matters like these.

“Gary knows his body better than anyone else, and we know that by having the surgery he will make a full recovery and be back better than ever ready for the 2015 season.”