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Dogs coach laments injury carnage in AFL

3 minute read

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says Cody Weightman is among three Dogs players injured in a 17-point AFL loss to Port Adelaide.

Bulldogs coach LUKE BEVERIDGE.
Bulldogs coach LUKE BEVERIDGE. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is counting the cost of a "night of carnage" with three more injury concerns from a 17-point AFL loss to Port Adelaide.

Beveridge is also stopping short of guaranteeing captain Marcus Bontempelli will return to action next weekend.

Bontempelli was rested from Friday's trip to Adelaide while Cody Weightman and Laitham Vandermeer face extended stints on the sideline.

Weightman broke a collarbone against the Power while Vandermeer has suffered what his coach described as a suspected "high-grade" hamstring tear.

The Dogs also have worries over Tim O'Brien, who copped a calf injury in the Adelaide Oval fixture.

"It's a night of carnage for us too when you lose three players in the fashion we did," Beveridge said after Port's 12.14 (86) to 10.9 (69) win.

"The five-day break might have got us a little bit with some of that, unfortunately.

"It was a high-end running game the week before against Essendon and ... Tim O'Brien and Laitham, who are quite (injury) prone, went down, so that destabilised us a little bit.

"We just couldn't find the momentum to bridge the gap.

"When our personnel started going down it compromised what we were able to achieve without role players.

"We essentially had one player who we had to keep rotating, so players need to play in positions they are unaccustomed.

"I am pleased the boys hung in there and not let it blow out when you consider the toll."

Beveridge was hopeful skipper Bontempelli would return for the Dogs (three wins, five losses) for their clash against Collingwood next Friday night.

"We think he will be okay," he said.

"He just had a series of things that were hampering him over a period of time and it all came to a head this week.

"So a week off will do him the world of good and hopefully he will be really healthy come Friday night but we will see how we go this week."

Beveridge rated ruckman Tim English and key defender Alex Keath as chances to return from their hamstring injuries next weekend.

Keath hasn't played since round three and English has been sidelined since round five.

Stalwart Mitch Wallis (foot), Sam Darcy (foot) and Jason Johannisen (calf) could be back in a fortnight while Riley Garcia (knee), Josh Bruce (knee) and Toby McLean (knee) are at least a month from playing again.

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