Port Adelaide draftee Hugh Jackson has required surgery on his hip, with the teenager set to be sidelined for an extended period.
The Power have confirmed they were aware of Jackson's troubled hip prior to his recruitment, with the midfielder having now gone under the knife since venturing to Alberton Oval.
Speaking on the decision, Power football boss Chris Davies said the call was for the betterment of Jackson's long-term prospects.
“We knew when we drafted Hugh that he’d be a longer-term prospect given his lighter frame and we knew he had had that issue with his hip during the season,” Davies said.
“We thought we could either push him through the year and he might battle a little bit or we could try and get him ready and effectively take a longer-term approach.
“His surgery went well and I’m sure he’ll be back to play a decent part in next season.”
Jackson joined Port Adelaide through last month's National Draft, landing at Pick 55 in joining the likes of Josh Sinn (Pick 12) and Dante Visentini (56).