THE WESTERN Bulldogs have been dealt a devastating blow, with captain Robert Murphy expected to require a knee reconstruction after suffering an injury in the dying moment's of Sunday's loss to Hawthorn. 

The 33-year-old twisted awkwardly as he attempted to spoil young Hawks forward James Sicily in the final minute of Sunday's game, and immediately grabbed for his left knee in pain.

He was helped from the field by trainers and left Etihad Stadium on crutches after the Dogs' three-point loss. The Bulldogs confirmed after the match they feared "the worst" for the All Australian defender.

Full match coverage: Bulldogs v Hawks

"He's no good. [We] think it's bad news, unfortunately," coach Luke Beveridge said.

"As you'd expect it's quite shattering. But we know what sort of person he is and what sort of character he is so he'll bounce back, but it's sad news."

Murphy will have scans on the knee with the club expecting them to reveal a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which will cast doubt over his future in the game. He turns 34 in June.

Beveridge said the Bulldogs would have to deal with the likely extended absence of their leader this week before being ready to face Carlton next week at Etihad Stadium.

"We're really close and they'll be hurting tonight, and not just because of the loss but they'll be hurting more for Bob. We all will be," Beveridge said.

"It's my job to pick them up early, and we've already had that chat at the end of the game. We're definitely glass half-full, and today's just one of the 22 rounds and we've just got to look forward to next week.

"We'll dust ourselves off and process the emotional side of Bob's injury, and by the end of the week we'll be ready for the Blues."

The Bulldogs' changerooms were solemn after the loss, which came after they had led the three-time reigning premiers by 19 points at the final break.

Former Dogs captain Matthew Boyd said the players were behind Murphy to overcome the setback. 

"He's our spiritual leader, he's the actual leader, he's everything to us. We don't know [the severity] yet and we'll wait and see what happens, but you never like to see your teammates get carried off like that," Boyd said.

"We have to support him and get around him and I know this footy club and this playing group will do so."

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson also threw his support behind Murphy, who he coached last year on the International Rules Series in New York and Ireland, saying he hopes he can return to the field.

"I've had a bit to do with 'Murph' when he was a young bloke and also through International Rules over the last 12 months," Clarkson said.

"I think everyone in the footy world has seen what he's done as a player but also what he's done in his leadership at the Western Bulldogs over the last little while. He's a decorated servant of the game.

"If it is a serious injury then we just hope he can come back from it. No-one likes seeing injuries in the game, particularly to high quality people and players like Murph."

The injury will overshadow an impressive performance from the Dogs, who fought back from an early five-goal deficit to forge ahead of the Hawks with a brilliant third term.

They also hit the lead with less than two minutes to play when Jake Stringer kicked a clutch goal before Sicily stood up to steer the Hawks home.

Beveridge said there was plenty to take out of the loss, but didn't hide his disappointment in getting so close without taking the points and remaining unbeaten.

"We created so many blatant opportunities that we squandered. We had so much supply and they defended those one-on-one balls extremely well," Beveridge said.