Concussed Bulldogs Tim English and Ed Richards are set to spend time on the sidelines as the club takes a cautious approach with the duo given their history with head knocks.
English will exit the league's concussion protocols in time to make the trip north to face Brisbane on Thursday night, but the club is reportedly wary to bring him back in after a series of concussions over his career, including a knee to the head which resulted in missing four games last year.
Meanwhile, Richards will not be available for selection in Round 16 after being substituted out of the Bulldogs' Friday night win over Hawthorn with concussion, suffered in a marking contest against Hawk Mitch Lewis.
Speaking on SEN Breakfast on Monday, 7 News journalist Mitch Cleary said he expected the club to be cautious with the two young Dogs.
โGoing back to the Friday night, he probably played four or five more minutes in the game after he copped a big head knock,โ Cleary said.
โI was sitting on the bench for the game and their head of physio Chris Bell received a phone call which I can only presume was from the AFL bunker.
โThe AFL has been pretty cognisant in picking up these head knocks off the ball. He was ruled out of the game. Itโs been his third year of concussion problems.
โSo too Tim English, heโs had three years of concussion problems and the Dogs have pretty much ruled him out for another week given he will be out of his 12 day protocols by the time the Bulldogs play their next game.
โOne that might have flown under the radar in Ed Richards, heโs had a good year across half back, theyโre fighting for a spot in the top eight, I think the Dogs will be extra cautious around him.
โHe was talking in the rooms post game, but talking about being a little nauseous, a bit of dizziness to Dogs officials.โ
Speaking after the match, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge indicated that English may not be lining up on Thursday night.
โIโm unsure, maybe with his history he doesnโt go, we keep him for another week and really look after him,โ Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said.
The Bulldogs are set to take on Brisbane on Thursday night at the Gabba, the beginning of a tough block of games against current top eight teams.
