The Dockers have suffered a major blow as they look to bounce back from a horrid 2016, with small forward Hayden Balayntyne set to miss up to 10 weeks due to a hamstring injury.

Ballantyne sustained the injury during the Dockers' final JLT Series match against Carlton on Friday night.

The club initially hoped it would only be a three to four week injury, however,ย scans on his left hamstring have revealed tendon damage, meaning he will require surgery.

โ€œAt this stage the medical advice is that Hayden will require a rehabilitation phase of eight to 10 weeks,โ€ general manager of football operations Chris Bond said.

โ€œOnce the rehabilitation process is completed and given Haydenโ€™s strong pre-season, we expect him to make a significant contribution on his return to football.โ€

Meanwhile, young forward Michael Apeness, who played five games last season, will be sidelined for six to eight weeks after suffering a tear in his posterior cruciate ligament while playing for Peel in the WAFL over the weekend.