GIANTS midfielder Tim Taranto will miss the first half of the AFL season, with the 22-year-old to have shoulder surgery later this week.

Taranto, the reigning Kevin Sheedy Medallist, will undergo a shoulder reconstruction after dislocating his right shoulder in the opening minutes of the Marsh Community Series match against the Swans.

The joint popped back into place before he left the field but subsequent scans showed significant enough damage that surgery was considered the best option.

GIANTS General Manager of Football Jason McCartney said:

“This is no doubt disappointing individually for Tim, particularly after the stellar season he had last year.

“We could have gone a non-surgical route but considering he hasn’t had any history of shoulder injuries and his young age, it was decided that surgery was the best option to ensure a full recovery.

“Tim will apply himself to his rehab as diligently as he does his football and we expect to see him back on the field in the latter half of the season.

“While disappointing for Tim, it does provide an opportunity to our young midfield group that are coming through and hungry to show what they can do at AFL level.”

Taranto will undergo surgery in Sydney later this week with the recovery time initially slated at four to five months.

The GIANTS will take on Richmond in their second Marsh Community Series match in Wagga Wagga on Sunday before opening the 2020 season against Geelong at GIANTS Stadium on March 21.