MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 14: Michael Walters of the Dockers is tackled by Shane Edwards of the Tigers during the 2017 AFL round 08 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Fremantle Dockers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 14, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Western Bulldogs defender Hayden Crozier has been ruled out of the Dogs' Round 1 lineup, while four Dockers players are facing lengthy stints on the sidelines.
Crozier sustained a shoulder injury in the Bulldogs' AAMI Community Series victory over Melbourne on Monday and will undergo surgery on the AC joint injury.
The Bulldogs have stated there is no clear timeframe for a return for the 27-year-old, but have confirmed Crozier will miss the club's season-opening clash against Collingwood next week.
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Dockers star Michael Walters will miss the next 3-4 weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury over the weekend, while teammate Rory Lobb is set to spend the next six weeks in a knee brace after suffering a knee injury in Sunday's loss to Wests Coast.
Bailey Banfield (syndesmosis) and Mitch Crowden (calf) will also be sidelined for prolonged periods.
Banfield will be in a moonboot for the next several weeks, while Crowden is expected to return in 5-6 weeks.
The Dockers are set to get their 2021 season underway against the Demons at the MCG on Saturday, March 20.