Essendon’s Jobe Watson will undergo shoulder surgery ruling him out for the rest of the season.

The Bombers Captain carried a shoulder complaint in to the match against St Kilda and aggravated it early in the game.

“It’s disappointing any time, especially given the season isn’t going the way we would have hoped,” Watson said.

“When you can’t be out there to help rectify it, it’s disappointing.”

Watson gathered nine possessions against the Saints and spent large parts of the match in the forward line.

“He went into the game with a shoulder injury and aggravated it very early,” Doctor Bruce Reid said.

“That of course seriously affected his form.

“His MRI unfortunately shows that he has an unstable shoulder and has significant damage.”

Essendon Coach James Hird said the absence of Watson would leave a significant hole.

“Jobe’s our Captain and one of the best players in the competition, so to lose him for the rest of the year is very disappointing for the team but more so for Jobe,” Hird said.