CARLTON has suffered a blow with the loss of Ryan Houlihan to season-ending knee surgery.

Houlihan, 28, reported discomfort in the joint following the round 15 loss to the Western Bulldogs and spent four weeks resting in a bid to avoid surgery.

He returned for the Northern Bullants two weeks ago, but pulled up sore after his second match back. 

In consultation with the club’s medical staff it was decided an operation was required and he underwent athroscopic surgery on Wednesday to repair damage to his left knee.

The 195-game veteran will be ready for the start of the Blues’ pre-season campaign, but will not take any part in the upcoming finals series.

The surgery ends a year of highs and lows for Houlihan, who spent January exiled from the club after his part in the alcohol-fuelled pre-Christmas antics that brought widespread condemnation of the club.

After spending the month training with fellow outcasts Eddie Betts and Andrew Walker he returned to Visy Park and put the affair behind him with a series of excellent performances playing as a defensive forward once the season got underway. 

He finishes the season having played 13 games with three-goal, 21-possession effort in round four while negating the influence of Crows’ skipper Simon Goodwin a highlight.