Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says he expects captain Bob Murphy to miss at least one game after the veteran hurt his hamstring late in the Dogs' 40-point win over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Having lost two games in a row, the reigning premiers overcame a slow start to overpower the Saints, with forward Jake Stringer leading the way with five goals - four of which came before half-time in the 13.12 (90) to 7.8 (50) victory.
The two sides had entered the game with only percentage separating them in eighth and ninth on the ladder, with the result putting important space between the Dogs and Saints in this tight season, as both teams head to their bye.
In that respect, the timing of Murphy's injury could be worse, but even with next weekend off Beveridge suggested Murphy - who was limping heavily in the Bulldogs' rooms after the game - would be unavailable to face Sydney on Thursday week at the SCG.
"I don't know enough to give you anything around how bad it is but obviously he has hurt it," Beveridge said.
"I'd imagine he'd probably miss some weeks, even though we've got a bye, I wouldn't think he'd be available for the Sydney game, as is the way with hamstrings.
"It's normally at least three [weeks] these days. We'll update you as quickly as we can."
In better news Beveridge was hopeful former skipper Matthew Boyd would be available to face the Swans after being sidelined in recent weeks with a shoulder issue.
Premiership player Clay Smith was a late withdrawal with what Beveridge called a "tweaked calf", with the coach hopeful the issue wasn't too serious. In Smith's absence, ruckman Jordan Roughead returned with a serviceable showing in what was his first senior game of the season.
Stringer was also on return from two weeks out with a medial ligament complaint in his knee, not that he appeared hampered by that recent ailment. "It was a complete game from Jake this afternoon," Beveridge said.
"He's played many very very good games but today was a great team game. He got some reward on the scoreboard, but there was a lot of sacrifice in his game. He really worked for his teammates."
St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said the Saints were "really disappointed" with their performance, lamenting his side's inability to take its chances.
"It's frustrating. That's been our lot for a while now, to be able to maximise what we do with the footy. It's not always the forwards, it's not always the guys kicking it in there, it's a combination of the two," Richardson said.
???"I was quite critical of a few of our guys in terms of just providing a bit of balance at the contest, and letting the Bulldogs get goal side."
Having won three straight games, St Kilda have now lost two in a row, with Richardson insisting his side needed to improve. "Right now, if you were just to look at us on the last two weeks then we're nowhere near where we need to be."
They return from their bye with a difficult match away to Adelaide on Friday week. Richardson said he was hopeful but "not 100 per cent confident" that former captain Nick Riewoldt would be available to face the Crows having missed Saturday's match with bone bruising in his right knee.
