North Melbourne small forward Lindsay Thomas will have knee surgery on Saturday, most likely ending his AFL season.

The goalsneak has carried the injury for several weeks, clearly affecting his form.

After kicking five goals against Fremantle and seven against Carlton midway through the season, Thomas has only kicked four goals in his last six games.

He also missed rounds 16-17 because of the injury.

"He hasn't been able to get to the heights he produced earlier this year and it is holding him back," said Kangaroos coach Brad Scott.

"It's a fairly minor operation, it might only keep him out for three to four weeks, but he just can't perform at the moment."

Thomas would only play again this season in the unlikely event that his team makes the finals.

They are a game and a half outside the top eight with only two rounds left.

Eighth-placed Hawthorn were given a major boost when Fremantle left out seven players, including captain Matthew Pavlich, for their Saturday match in Launceston.

"I rang my brother (Dockers assistant coach Chris) and said, `what are you doing? Get them all in'," Scott said.

"But they'll do whatever gives themselves the best chance, although it's disappointing for us."

Ruckman Todd Goldstein will miss Sunday's match against West Coast in Perth with a calf injury, meaning David Hale will return for his first senior game since round 17.

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