THE UNDEFEATED Western Bulldogs will be forced into a defensive reshuffle with Bailey Williams to miss up to a month with a collarbone injury.
Williams was subbed off during the third quarter of last week's big win over Gold Coast with scans later confirming a fracture.
He will undergo surgery on Monday.
"In the third quarter, Bailey came to the bench after a heavy hit to his collarbone," head of sports medicine Chris Bell said.
"Scans have confirmed that he did fracture his collarbone and that required surgery today.
"In the next couple of days, we’ll confirm his plan, but expect him to miss the next two-to-four weeks."
ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS
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Video00:31 MinsViewed
Dunkley's tumbler continues fast start
Josh Dunkley has kicked a brilliant tumbling goal to continue the Bulldogs' fast…
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Video01:11 MinsViewed
Bont all class on the run in his 150th game
Bulldog Marcus Bontempelli makes a top class captain's goal on the run
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Video01:24 MinsViewed
Hunter gives his captain a lesson in dodgeball
Bulldog Lachie Hunter tops off an impressive team play with a blistering goal
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Video01:07 MinsViewed
New Dog rolls through a long bomb from 60m
Adam Treloar kicks from downtown only for the ball to almost bounce back in
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Video01:09 MinsViewed
Rankine gives Suns perfect start in second half
Gold Coast Suns Izak Rankine finishes a coast to coast play with a goal
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Video00:57 MinsViewed
Two contentious goals get the Suns back in the game
Gold Coast's Josh Corbett gets two goals from two controversial free kicks
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Video07:03 MinsViewed
Highlights: Western Bulldogs v Gold Coast
The Bulldogs and Suns clash in round five
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Video08:50 MinsViewed
Full post-match: Suns
Watch Gold Coast's full press conference after round five's match
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Video08:56 MinsViewed
Full post-match: Bulldogs
Watch Western Bulldog's press conference after round five's match against Gold Coast
Caleb Daniel looms as the obvious replacement in the back six after the small defender missed the Suns clash through suspension.
Laitham Vadermeer is also expected to be available after he was a late withdrawal on Saturday due to back spasms.
“On the morning of the game, Laitham reported that he had some back spasms,” Bell said.
“He’s come in much better today and we’ll work through a process with Laitham this week to determine his availability – but we expect him to be back playing this weekend.”