Gold Coast's Lachie Weller will miss the rest of the AFL season after scans confirmed the speedster has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Weller crashed to the turf as he changed direction during the final quarter of the Suns' big win over North Melbourne on Saturday.
Gold Coast immediately feared the worst, with Weller now set for a stint on the sidelines as the Suns chase a long-awaited finals berth without him.
"It's really unfortunate news for Lachie," Gold Coast football boss Wayne Campbell said.
"(He) went in for scans (on Monday) afternoon to determine the full extent of the injury, with the results showing he has torn the ACL in his right knee.
"Lachie will now meet with a surgeon later in the week, before having an operation to repair the ligament."
There is better news for Suns key forward Levi Casboult, who is set to return from a calf injury after this week's bye.
Gold Coast take on Adelaide in round 14.
Meanwhile, Geelong midfielder Brandan Parfitt will undergo surgery to repair a hand injury sustained during last Friday night's win over the Western Bulldogs.
Parfitt has played every game this season but is now rated a "short-to-medium term" prospect.
"After assessment and consultation, Brandan will have surgery on his hand in the coming days to ensure the best recovery for him - short and long term," Cats head of medical and conditioning services Harry Taylor said.
"Brandan's status will be assessed post-surgery, however, it is expected he will be unavailable for the short to medium term."
