Injuries to Tom Liberatore and Jack Macrae provide more headaches for the Western Bulldogs

UPDATE: INJURED Bulldog Tom Liberatore is having scans on his injured ankle today as the club holds out hope that his season is not over.

Jack Macrae. Picture: Getty Images

INJURED Bulldog Tom Liberatore is having scans on his injured ankle today as the club holds out hope that his season is not over.

Coach Luke Beveridge today conceded that there is “no doubt that he will miss the next few weeks”.

He also said Jack Macrae is likely to miss next weekend’s clash with North Melbourne with a hamstring injury, but is hopeful that Dale Morris (hamstring) will be available.

The Bulldogs’ horrendous run with injury continued in last night’s 25-point loss to Geelong at Simonds Stadium.with Liberatore and Macrae added to the club’s long list of casualties.

Having already made five forced changes leading into this game, the Bulldogs will be forced to make more this week as they gear up for next Saturday night’s clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

Asked after the game if the injury could keep Liberatore out for the rest of the season, Beveridge said: “We hope not. We think it is one of those syndesmosis injuries that can keep you out for a little while. But there are different levels.

“He is still a chance to be with us, we will need to scan it and see what it comes up with.”

The loss of Liberatore, who was playing on Patrick Dangerfield, and Macrae, who was shadowing Joel Selwood, upset the Bulldogs’ balance just as they were taking the game up to the Cats.

Tom Liberatore on crutchers and in a moon boot after the game. Picture: Getty Images

“They were significant players in our plans that we had to make some adjustments with,” he said.

But Beveridge could not be prouder of the way his team fought out the contest.

“They were tremendous, they gave their all,” he said.

“We were right in the game, and it is a bit frustrating for the boys who were left on the park and really disappointing for the boys who got injured.

“We had some plans, we carried them out. It was a good template but it is just unfortunate that we have been a bit stiff.

“It is a bit more than just bad luck at the moment, (but) what can you do. It is hard to laugh, because you are disappointed for the boys who have gone down injured, but if you don’t laugh then you probably cry, like I did the other day.

Jack Macrae looks set for a stint on the sidelines. Picture: Colleen Petch

“We think we can pull it together again, and at some point start winning again, and hopefully get there and give ourselves a sniff. But a little bit of wind has gone out of our sails.”

Tom Boyd answered a week of commentary surrounding his lucrative, long-term deal, kicking three goals and having 18 disposals, which pleased his coach.

“We were really happy with his game,” he said. “People are keen to criticise and judge and he probably shields the rest of us from the criticism because he gets the lot.”

“(But) we already know he is a good investment for us, we think he is going to be a stellar player.”