Bulldogs duo ruled out of elimination final

Western Bulldogs pair Hayden Crozier and Ed Richards have been ruled out of Sunday's elimination final against Essendon.

The club confirmed that the duo will miss the must-win clash, with Crozier (concussion) and Richards (shoulder) both sidelined through injury.

The double blow was sustained during the Dogs' scratch match against Sydney over the weekend, with the club's head of sports medicine Chris Bell revealing the extent of the damage on the club's website.

“In the first quarter, Hayden was removed from the game after a head knock. He was assessed by our doctors and it’s confirmed Hayden has suffered a concussion,”  Bell said.

“Hayden will work through a process with our doctors over the next week to determine when he is available to return to play, after the mandated week off.

“In the second quarter of the game, Ed sustained a shoulder overstretching injury. He was able to complete the game but does have some soreness related to the injury.

“He won’t play this week whilst we work to improve his symptoms and regain his strength.”

While the setbacks will hinder the Bulldogs' selection planning for this week, injured quartet Stefan Martin (groin/hip), Josh Schache (knee), Louis Butler (calf) and Ryan Gardner (shoulder) have all worked toward returns.

The Bulldogs will face the Bombers at University of Tasmania Stadium on Sunday at 3:20pm and will play the loser of Melbourne vs Brisbane.