THE WESTERN Bulldogs will give captain Bob Murphy time to consider his playing future after scans confirmed the popular veteran had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

The club's worst fears were realised on Monday afternoon after a long and anxious wait, with Murphy also suffering medial ligament damage in the final minutes of Sunday's heartbreaking loss to Hawthorn. 

The 33-year-old is set to consult with orthopaedic surgeon David Young, who is expected to recommend a tradition reconstruction rather than a LARS operation.

"Bob's scans have just come in and they do confirm that he has ruptured his ACL and he has some medial ligament damage as well," football manager Graham Lowe told the club's website.

"We're going to give Bob the next few days to consider his position, and [his] plans for moving forward. 

"The club will support him in any way we can to make sure we support him in making the right decision for him and his family."

Earlier, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said he would try and talk Murphy into playing for up to three more seasons regardless of his diagnosis.

The coach pointed to former Essendon defender Dustin Fletcher and North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey as two players Murphy could follow by playing well into his 30s.

"In recent times Bob and I have been talking about his future, and he's been really keen to keep playing beyond this year," Beveridge said.

"I've been really keen for him to keep playing for another couple of years and maybe even three.

"I'm hopeful that once it all settles and if it does confirm the worst after lunch time, that Bob's still got a bright future as a player and as the captain of our footy club."

Beveridge said a decision on whether Murphy underwent a LARS operation and attempted to return this season would be completely up to the 33-year-old.

"At the start of players' careers, there's no doubt that our preference has always been to have the [traditional] surgery," Beveridge said.

"Clay Smith will come back some time this year and Rourke (Smith) is not far away.

"So we'll consider all possibilities and do what we can for Bob's well-being more than anything."

Murphy has played 295 games, and signed a one-year deal last May to take his career into a 17th season.

Beveridge said the veteran had given him indications that he wanted to play on beyond this season before suffering the injury on Sunday. 

"The kind of footy he plays, his attention to detail and his preparation all points towards the prospect of him playing on," the coach said.

"There's been some players, Dustin Fletcher, 'Boomer' Harvey's a great example for keeping on keeping on.

"I see him as a 33-year-old 27-year-old and every time I talk to him I hope he thinks the same way."

The Bulldogs players were more emotional about Murphy's injury than their three-point loss on Sunday night and Beveridge said they would meet as a group on Monday to map a path forward.

He said the "clinical" nature of the game meant they needed to address it and move on and find ways to replace one of their most influential players.

"We've got lots of suitors who are willing to step up and play that high half-back role that Bob's able to play," he said. 

"We're fortunate enough to have recruited Matt Suckling, who played a brilliant game yesterday, and we've got Jed Adcock there from an experience point of view.

"That's our mandate this week, to move on quickly and focus on the game."

The Bulldogs said on Monday afternoon that Easton Wood, who was a late withdrawal against the Hawks on Sunday with hamstring tightness, was a chance to return against Carlton this week.

Forward Tory Dickson will also be available to play his first game this season after missing the opening three rounds with an adductor injury.