The Bulldogs' dominant finish against the Giants on Friday night has been soured by a string of injuries that will sideline a key trio of Luke Beveridge's side.
Luckless midfielder Lin Jong had his return to senior level cut short by a hamstring injury in the opening quarter of the 39-point victory at Manuka Oval.
The win was Jong's first game for the Bulldogs since Round 5 last year and just his fourth match since the end of the 2018 season after a horror run of setbacks.
Seriously. Can’t the universe just give Lin Jong a break?!?! Shattering for him. #AFLGiantsDogs
— Nat Edwards (@Nat_Edwards) April 23, 2021
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Jong was assisted off the field after going down clutching his hamstring in a contest and was subbed out of the game for Lachlan McNeil.
Speaking post-game, Beveridge sympathised for the 27-year-old.
“He’s had some bad luck, Jongy, with his hamstrings,” Beveridge said, per Fox Sports.
“He’s had some high-grade injuries usually through mechanism where he’s been tackled, had pressure on a side. I haven’t seen the replay, but it appears as though something similar happened.
“It’s an emotional night for him and his teammates.”
The Bulldogs were further hampered by injuries as star midfielder Josh Dunkley and ruckman Tim English were sidelined with shoulder and concussion issues respectively.
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Dunkley appeared to have dislocated his shoulder in the fourth quarter and headed to the interchange before popping his shoulder back into place and returning to the field.
The onballer returned to the bench shortly after re-injuring his shoulder and sat out the remainder of the match.
English is likely to miss the Bulldogs' blockbuster clash with Richmond next Friday after copping a knee to the head during a marking contest.
Tim English was taken from the field with the assistance of the trainers after this incident. pic.twitter.com/iV7V6nEoMO
— AFL (@AFL) April 23, 2021
Should the Bulldogs tall be placed under the league's concussion protocols, he will be sidelined for at least 12 days.
The Giants also faced injury concerns of their own, with All-Australian defender Nick Haynes sidelined in the early minutes of the match with a hamstring complaint.
Haynes was subbed out of the game for rookie Tanner Bruhn, while Xavier O'Halloran battled a shoulder injury of his own late into the match.
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The Giants will face Adelaide in South Australia next week in hope of securing their third win of the season.
The Bulldogs remain in top spot for the time being after claiming their sixth win in as many games.
