Gary Ablett will miss Saturday’s match against Melbourne in Alice Springs after successive knocks to his shoulder.

General Manager – Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft said Ablett tested out his shoulder at training on Thursday and despite his best efforts, would be unavailable this weekend.

“Unfortunately for Gary he got a shoulder knock in our Geelong game a few weeks ago,” he 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 okay.”

“Unfortunately today 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.”

Ablett left the field favouring his shoulder during the second quarter of the Suns 25-point victory over Geelong in Round 7, and stirred up the injury during the Suns Round 8 game against Port Adelaide.