The playing future of Fremantle on-baller Michael Barlow hangs in the balance and the hands of surgeons after assessment to his injured left shoulder.

Barlow faces surgery to a shattered AC joint and is certain to miss the rest of the troubled Dockers season after an operation as early as this week.

The Dockers season has gone from bad to worse. Credit:Scott Barbour

His early prognosis is understood to be worse than first expected after consultations with surgeons and medical experts on Saturday afternoon in Perth.

Barlow copped a heavy knock into his shoulder from small Cats forward Lincoln McCarthy just moments into the second half of a spirited clash with finals bound Geelong in Perth on Friday night.