Midfielder Mitch Wallis has broken both bones in his left leg, the result of a tackle gone wrong during Western Bulldogs' 15-point AFL loss to St Kilda.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge confirmed after the game that Wallis fractured both his tibia and fibula in a sickening moment at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Beveridge also revealed forward Jack Redpath tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the game and will require a knee reconstruction.
"It is a devastating night for many reasons," Beveridge said.
"There's a lot of emotion in that room down there."
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Wallis screamed in agony as he was stretched off in the fourth quarter, having suffered the horrific injury while being tackled by Shane Savage.
"It's obviously a very serious injury," Beveridge said, likening the mood in the changeroom to that when inspirational captain Bob Murphy ruptured his ACL earlier in the year.
"In all football clubs the players are tight. Ours is no different. They're really hurting.
"They're really feeling it for Mitch and his family and also for Red and his family."
The Bulldogs have had a terrible run with injuries this season, headlined by Murphy's serious setback in round three.
Veteran defender Dale Morris tweaked his hamstring in Saturday night's defeat but Beveridge was upbeat about him being fit to face Geelong on Friday night.
"It's going to be a challenge (focusing on football and preparing to face the Cats)," Beveridge said.
"But we just had a discussion around that and what the right steps are.
"We haven't got a lot of time to process it. I don't think the players will be ready tomorrow or Monday.
"By the end of Tuesday when we walk out of the building at the club, we've got to be ready to move on and meet the challenges ahead."
