BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 23: Western Bulldogs players run through the banner before the round six AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Adelaide Crows at Mars Stadium on April 23, 2022 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has revealed the "traumatic week" a number of his players and staff endured in the build-up to their match with Adelaide on Saturday.
Speaking after the Dogs' narrow one-point loss to the Crows in Ballarat, Beveridge revealed that recent family tragedies to veteran Mitch Wallis and development coach Travis Varcoe had taken a toll on the club.
Wallis was omitted from Beveridge's side for personal reasons after his wife Emily's mother passed away in a fatal car crash.
The accident occurred in North Melbourne earlier this week, with Emily left grieving as she awaits the incoming birth of her second child.
Varcoe lost his mother last weekend, leaving the Bulldogs to work through trying circumstances ahead of their Round 6 match.
"It has been a challenging week for the group, for the club," Beveridge told media post-game.
"It has been a really traumatic week for the families, and obviously your football club is like a second home, a second family, and everyone feels that and is really emotional around what is happening with Mitch and Emily and their families.
"We are just hoping everything goes smoothly over the next week or so with Emily and the imminent birth of their child."
The Bulldogs were also without midfielder Lachie Hunter for the match at Mars Stadium, with the 27-year-old taking leave of absence to focus on his health and wellbeing.
Returns for both Hunter and Wallis are unknown, with the Bulldogs now turning their attention to next week's encounter with Essendon on Sunday.