Port Adelaide captain Warren Tredrea and classy midfielder Steven Salopek are set to miss the rest of the season because of injuries suffered during the Power's game against the Dockers on Sunday.
Tredrea needs a shoulder reconstruction and will be out of action for six months while Salopek aggravated his Achilles tendonitis and is unlikely to line-up in Port's remaining games.
The shoulder injury is a massive blow for Tredrea who found some form against Adelaide and Fremantle in the past fortnight. Coach Mark Williams said the setback wouldn't spell the end of his skipper's career.
"We've already talked to him today about his future and he's certainly going to be offered a contract for next year," he said.
"If he can overcome his knee injuries this is pretty much run of the mill for him. It's probably going to be six months but it's three months without any running so it will be right in time for starting pre-season."
Injuries in recent seasons have meant Tredrea has struggled to reproduce the form that earned him All-Australian selection from 2001 to 2004 but Williams said the strong-marking forward had made significant improvements this year.
"Last year I didn't know if he was going to play any good at all this year but I've got much more confidence now. He can actually run and jump and do those things that a forward needs to do," he said.
"I've really noticed his passion for tackling and chasing and things that I really haven't seen for almost the whole time of his career and that's been great."
Williams was also buoyed by the fact Peter Burgoyne, Daniel Motlop and Brett Ebert have managed to comeback from similar operations in the past.
Tredrea will also be a chance of leading the team again if he makes a successful return next year.
"He's been a great leader for us and I'm sure even though he's not playing he'll still be very much in the forefront of that," Williams said.
Williams said the loss of Tredrea and Salopek would make the rest of the season 'difficult' but added it gave other younger players a chance to impress at the top level.