Gold Coast's push for a maiden finals appearance has been dealt a blow with Daniel Rioli set to undergo surgery with a fractured leg.

Rioli is due to be sidelined for "several weeks", the Suns confirmed on Tuesday, after being subbed out of Sunday's loss to Adelaide at half time.

It was the three-time premiership Tiger's 200th career game.

Scans have confirmed the 2025 recruit sustained a small fibula fracture to his left leg from contact during the match.

In pursuit of qualifying for finals for the first time since coming into the competition in 2011 the Suns sit in eighth position on the ladder, a game ahead of ninth-placed Westen Bulldogs with five games remaining in the home and away season.

Rioli will first miss this weekend's QClash with 2024 premiers Brisbane, who are currently second on the ladder.

"Scans on Monday shows that Daniel has sustained a small fracture to his fibula. After discussing the results with Daniel, a decision was made that he will undergo an operation which will make him unavailable for selection for several weeks," Gold Coast head physiotherapist Lindsay Bull said.

The 28-year-old has been listed as a medium term out on the club's injury list.

Alongside Brisbane, Gold Coast also play top eight side GWS in the final rounds of the season.

Rioli missed a patch of his first preseason at the Suns with an MCL setback suffered shortly after arrival.

He's averaged 20 disposals and close to three tackles in his first campaign at the Queensland club after departing Richmond off the back of a maiden club best-and-fairest.

Gold Coast are putting together their best year in the AFL to date despite a ten goal loss to the Crows on Sunday following a historic Friday night win over Collingwood the previous week.