ESSENDON forward Stewart Crameri will miss the rest of the season after the club decided to operate on his dislocated shoulder.

Crameri suffered the injury in the dying moments of Essendon’s 57-point loss to West Coast on Saturday, but the Bombers had hoped the 23-year-old may be able to play out the season before requiring surgery.

Essendon football manager Paul Hamilton confirmed on Wednesday the decision had been made to operate now, rather than wait until the end of the season.

"Following medical advice from the surgeon, it was decided that surgery was really the only option to take in this instance," Hamilton told essendonfc.com.au.

"We were weighing up our options but ultimately we did not want to take any risks so Stewart will go ahead with surgery to his shoulder.

"Stew has had a breakout season this year and it’s incredibly disappointing to lose him, but we know that other players will step up and fill the void."

Crameri has had an outstanding season in attack for the Bombers, leading the club’s goalkicking with 34 goals in 20 games.

Callum Twomey covers Essendon news for afl.com.au and essendonfc.com.au. Follow him on Twitter at @Cal_Twomey.