PEARCE Hanley has flown back to the Gold Coast and is getting scans on his dislocated right shoulder on Monday afternoon.

The most likely outcome is Hanley will require surgery, although results on Tuesday will confirm the next course of action.

The 29-year-old popped the shoulder for the second time in four weeks in Saturday's loss to Fremantle in Perth.

He originally dislocated it in a JLT Community Series match against Brisbane on March 11 and Saturday's match was his first since then.

Following the loss to the Dockers, Suns coach Stuart Dew said there was no risk the Irishman was rushed back too soon.

"We knew going into the game that it’s a chance, once they start coming out generally you do need to get them fixed (surgically) at some point," Dew said.

"He could have made 10 games or got through the season.

"Given where his strength was pre-game, we were confident.

"We would never have put him out there thinking this is going to happen ... at training he got through all the parameters we put him through."

The Suns have moved into serviced apartments in Fremantle ahead of Saturday night's game against West Coast at Optus Stadium, as they spend a total of 10 days in Perth.

Jack Bowes, who was suspended for the Dockers match, is a likely replacement for Hanley.