Injury-hit Gold Coast turned over almost a third of their line-up after superstar Gary Ablett was ruled out of his milestone AFL game against St Kilda.
The two-time Brownlow Medal winner was set to play his 300th game on Sunday against the Saints at Etihad Stadium but succumbed to a calf injury he suffered in last week's loss to Carlton.
He was withdrawn on Friday morning from the extended squad and the Suns later made a remarkable seven changes when they trimmed that squad to 22 players.
"(It's) really disappointing for Gary, his family and the footy club, waiting for his much-anticipated 300th game," football chief Marcus Ashcroft said.
"Gary hurt his calf in last weekend's game - he had been rehabbing it all week.
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"Unfortunately today, trying to complete some rehab runs, (he) didn't get through those at all.
"He'd been working really hard the last few days, we know he's the ultimate professional and he did everything he could."
If the 33-year-old Ablett misses just the one match, he will play his 300th game at Metricon Stadium on Saturday week when the Suns host North Melbourne.
Ablett notched up 192 games for Geelong before making a high-profile switch to Gold Coast ahead of their inaugural season in 2011 and captained the club until the end of last season.
The Suns are still yet to make a finals appearance and, sitting in 14th spot this year with a 5-7 record, they desperately need a win against the Saints to stay in touch with the top eight.
But they lost Brandon Matera (foot), Kade Kolodjashnij (concussion), Michael Barlow (leg), Aaron Hall (hamstring) and Matt Rosa (suspension), while Mackenzie Willis was dropped.
Jarrod Harbrow, Rory Thompson, Matt Shaw, Touk Miller, Callum Ah Chee, Brayden Fiorini and Darcy Macpherson are the additions for the Suns.
St Kilda haven't found room for No.1 draft pick Paddy McCartin and will go with the same line-up who defeated North Melbourne.
