Dale Thomas' injury-prone ankles have betrayed him again, ending his season and raising fresh doubts about the AFL future for the star Collingwood midfielder.
The Magpies confirmed on Monday night they have given up on regaining Thomas for the finals.
It is a major blow for Collingwood ahead of the finals and could mean a third bout of ankle surgery for Thomas since last November.
Thomas resumed in the VFL on Saturday, having not played football at any level since May.
The 2011 All-Australian was returning from surgery, but had to leave the ground in the second term with a fresh ankle injury.
Thomas also becomes a restricted free agent at the end of this season and is in negotiations with the Magpies.
He is among three big names yet to confirm their AFL futures beyond this year, along with Hawthorn key forward Lance Franklin and Richmond onballer Dustin Martin.
Thomas will now consult over the next week with specialists in Melbourne and Sydney.
"It's obviously disappointing for everyone - Dale worked incredibly hard to play again this year and everyone was enthused to see him get close," said Collingwood football manager Rodney Eade.
"He felt strong and confident and to see him brought down again is a reminder of how tough the game can be at times.
"Right now, we know that the rest of 2013 is out.
"He is going to see several specialists over the next week or so and in terms of what, if any, impact there will be on his pre-season we will have to wait and see.
"A clearer picture of what the options are will emerge once he has been examined."
There was no comment from the Magpies on the contract negotiations with Thomas' management.
The onballer originally damaged ankle ligaments in round 15 last season.
He had surgery last November and returned in round three.
Thomas played five-successive games, but he then needed surgery for a tendon problem that was separate to his original ankle injury.
Collingwood said Thomas' latest setback was a fresh ankle injury.
In more bad news for the `Pies, Jamie Elliott (hamstring) and Ben Sinclair (shoulder) will not play in Friday night's AFL match against West Coast at the MCG.
The Magpies are confident they will return for the round-23 game against North Melbourne.
Last Friday night's loss to Hawthorn means they cannot make the top four.
