Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has confirmed star midfielder Tom Liberatore will miss Saturday night's elimination final against Fremantle, who have lost Nat Fyfe for the matchup.
Beveridge confirmed to media on Wednesday morning that the veteran onballer won't be fit to make the trip to Optus Stadium this week due to a hamstring issue.
Liberatore has been arguably the Bulldogs' best player this season, with his absence a huge blow for Beveridge's side as they look to keep their premiership campaign alive.
In lighter news for the Dogs, concerns around Bailey Smith's fitness aren't too much of a worry for Beveridge, who has flagged that the rising star is expected to line up against the Dockers.
“Tom sustained a hamstring injury during training last week and scans have revealed a low-grade injury to the hamstring muscle,” Bulldogs’ Head of Sports Medicine, Chris Bell confirmed in a club statement.
“Tom won’t play this week but we will monitor his progress over the coming days before determining his return to availability.”
In another blow to Saturday night's hit-out, Fremantle confirmed on Tuesday night that superstar skipper Nat Fyfe will also be sidelined through a hamstring issue.
Fyfe had been sidelined for three matches after suffering a hamstring injury in found 19, however his latest setback occurred on his other leg earlier this week.
“These hamstring strain injuries are very much a case-by-case basis for each individual,” Fremantle football boss Peter Bell revealed.
“We won’t have a timeline just yet on Nathan’s return, but we are hopeful that we will see him feature at some point in the upcoming finals series.”
The Dockers are likely to regain Griffin Logue and Rory Lobb from injury for the first week of finals, while Matt Taberner remains in doubt.
Saturday's match in Perth between Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs is scheduled to commence on Saturday at 8:10pm (AEST).
