The Western Bulldogs' unbeaten start to the season has been soured by injury concerns to three players integral to their premiership tilt.
Ruckman Tim English, so important as the midfield generator, suffered a knock to his right knee in the third term against Essendon on Sunday night.
All-Australian midfielder Ed Richards didn't even make it to the first bounce, pulling out after complaining of knee soreness in the warm-up.
Richards' injury is the most intriguing of the trio and his timeline difficult to predict.
Arthur Jones, who provides so much energy has a lively forward, was enjoying a breakout game before being cut down by hamstring tightness.
Jones has become a key point of difference at the Kennel, with the Dogs in need of small forward polish amid the absence of Cody Weightman.
The Dogs on Saturday night played down the injuries as relatively minor, but scans will tell the full tale.
English attempted to return in the third term after receiving treatment in the rooms, but couldn't play out the match.
There is a massive gap between English and the rest in the Bulldogs' ruck stocks.
If he misses against the Hawks, 2025 draftee Louis Emmett is odds-on to make his debut.
Jones has a history of hamstring issues and also suffered a concussion in opening round. It's been a rotten run of luck.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge spoke about Richards post-match, conceding "we don't know the extent of it".
He said Richards "just felt something in the knee".
The Dogs are already without Tom Liberatore for the Gather Round contest with Hawthorn.
Suddenly they are staring at the prospect of being without English, Richards and Liberatore, with all three regulars in the starting midfield.
Adam Treloar won't return after withdrawing from the VFL with general soreness and battling for continuity after a wretched run of soft-tissue injuries.
