MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 04: Lachie Hunter of the Bulldogs celebrates after kicking a goal during the round 20 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on August 4, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

The Western Bulldogs have announced that star midfielder Lachie Hunter will be unavailable for tomorrow night's clash with Gold Coast due to personal reasons.

The club released the following statement on the matter.

"Western Bulldogs midfielder Lachie Hunter is currently unavailable for selection due to personal reasons," the statement reads.

"The club will continue to strongly support Lachie as he works through some personal challenges, with his health and well-being to be the priority focus."

Hunter returned from a four-game suspension in the club's Round 6 loss to Carlton.

He was stripped of the vice-captaincy during the competition shutdown for a drink-driving incident.

The Bulldogs face Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Thursday night at 7.40pm AEST.