Three Bulldogs defenders will be out for up to two months each

Liam Jones was on track for an All-Australian berth but may be out for the rest of the season in a horror blow to the Western Bulldogs.

Star Western Bulldogs defender Liam Jones could miss the rest of the home and away season after having surgery to repair two separate breaks in his forearm.

In a triple blow his fellow defenders Tim O’Brien and Hayden Crozier will also be sidelined for the next two months after scans revealed the full extent of their hamstring injuries.

Jones was on track for All-Australian selection after his return to the Bulldogs following two years out of the AFL.

He was subbed out of his team’s win over North Melbourne last week after being kicked by Kangaroo Paul Curtis as he attempted to soccer the ball off the ground.

Jones had surgery on Monday and the club confirmed the severe extent of his injuries.

“Liam received a kick to his forearm – this trauma has caused two separate breaks in the radius bone,” Bulldogs’ Head of Sports Medicine, Chris Bell, said.

Jonesy set for at least two months on the sidelines 😔

🏥 Full injury list: https://t.co/vEyAEIk8XK

— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) June 20, 2023

“He had surgery yesterday to insert a large plate along his forearm to stabilise both fractures.

“We will confirm his return to play timeline over the coming weeks, but expect him to miss the next 8-10 games.”

O’Brien suffered his injury in the same game while Crozier, who could have helped bolster the defensive ranks, hurt himself in the VFL.

“Both Tim in the AFL game and Hayden in the VFL game sustained hamstring injuries,” Bell said.

“Scans confirmed that they have both suffered moderate to high grade injuries, that will see them miss the next few months of football.”

The Bulldogs has already lost defenders Jason Johannisen and Ed Richards to injury, and they both remain at least a month away from returning.