WESTERN Bulldogs premiership captain Easton Wood will be sidelined for up to six weeks as he recovers from a serious hamstring strain.
The former skipper was subbed out of the Bulldogs' game against Port Adelaide on Saturday night in the first quarter.
Wood's injury soured a heroic 19-point win for the Bulldogs away from home, which took them to 8-1 and maintain second place on the ladder.
"In the first quarter of the game on the weekend whilst accelerating into a contest, Easton suffered a hamstring strain," the club's sports medicine boss Chris Bell said.
"With clinical assessment and an MRI, we can confirm that is a moderate grade injury.
"We expect Easton to miss the next 4-6 weeks of footy."
The Bulldogs' depleted big man stocks could get a boost with Tim English a chance to return from a lengthy concussion for Saturday night's clash with St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.
Veteran ruckman Stefan Martin could miss another four weeks due to Achilles soreness.
Ball magnet Lachie Hunter will be pushing to return against the Saints after missing just one game with a broken hand.
The classy utility suffered the injury in the round eight win over Carlton, attempted to play against the Power, but was overruled by the club's medical staff.
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00:55
Young Dog kicks back-to-back beauties
Cody Weightman has kicked two brilliant first-quarter goals to extend the Bulldogs' early advantage
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00:48
Bont breaks clear and boots classy goal
Marcus Bontempelli has kicked a brilliant running goal to extend his side's early lead
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00:42
Dogs defender off with yet another hamstring injury
Former skipper Easton Wood continues to have a luckless run with his hamstring and is subbed off at the end of the first quarter
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00:42
Power star goes bang from beyond the arc
Port's Hamish Hartlett has given his side a much-needed goal with this ripper to start the second term
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00:25
Power hit the front after Wines' snap
Ollie Wines' quick snap from the contest has given the Power back the lead since the early stages of the first quarter
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00:25
Clurey subbed out with jaw injury
Tom Clurey has had to be subbed out of the game after suffering a suspected jaw injury from the collision
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00:48
Naughton lifts off with super MOTY contender and finish
Aaron Naughton has taken a super Four'N Twenty Mark of the Year contender and finished it off with the goal
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00:28
Gray embarrasses Treloar with a nutmeg finish
Robbie Gray has kicked a ripping goal which left Adam Treloar embarrassed as it went between his legs
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06:54
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13:09
Beveridge: 'It'll do wonders for our belief'
Luke Beveridge said victory over fellow contender Port Adelaide was a huge confidence boost for his team
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07:26
Hinkley: 'I've got confidence we can be [a great] team by the end of 2021'
Ken Hinkley says his side is more than capable of becoming a premiership contender by the end of the year
