GWS coach Adam Kingsley conceded that Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan is in "doubt" for next week's game after he failed to complete the game with a foot injury.
In a horror evening for the AFL's youngest club, Hogan was rendered helpless against the Western Bulldogs, who were emphatic in their performance from start to finish.
The star forward was kept goalless for the second time since 2023, and now looks unlikely to face North Melbourne after reaggravating a foot issue, while Toby McMullin could also miss after suffering a suspected syndesmosis injury.
"He is a bit sore with his foot," Kingsley said of Hogan.
"He couldn't really move around throughout the game. We thought he'd be a bit better than that, but he got a bit of a knock early in the game, and it flared up a little bit. He did his best to manage, but it was a tough night for him from a pain perspective.
"There would have to be some doubt (for next week)."
The Bulldogs were off to a flyer in the first term, slotting six goals to one, which ultimately set up the 88-point victory.
It was the Giants' worst loss since the 2019 AFL Grand Final against Richmond, when they went down by 89 points.
Veteran and stand-in captain Stephen Coniglio said it was the club's worst outing since Kingsley took over ahead of 2023, which the coach agreed with.
"We got belted in the contest, plain and simple. Minus 51 in the end, wow! You can't compete when you're getting belted like that," Kingsley said post-game.
"We were just off tonight, I don't know why; the Bulldogs were clearly playing for their season, and we weren't. That's disappointing from our perspective.
"I think we've been up for a long period of time now; we've won six in a row; we've had a big block of games, played some good opposition and played well, so it happens. We don't want it to happen, and certainly not the way it happened tonight. We will accept that, move on quickly and get on with North Melbourne."
The heavy loss puts the Giants among the chasing pack, including the Bulldogs, who are vying for a spot in the finals.
GWS sit seventh on the ladder, but the gap between the two sides was narrowed.
