The footy world will again have their fingers crossed for Bulldogs veteran Dale Morris who suffered a suspected ACL injury in his left knee in the win over Fremantle on Sunday afternoon.
With the Dogs well up in the third quarter at Marvel Stadium, Morris went over on his heavily strapped knee - the 36-year-old was playing his first senior game since a pre-season ACL injury in the same knee.
Morris and the club's medicos opted to treat his latest injury with a conservative, non-surgical approach, allowing him to return just five months after the incident.
The defender played four matches in the VFL before returning to the senior side for the team's meeting with the Dockers.
Morris' afternoon ended early however, his left knee buckling in the third term.
Check out the video below.
Dale Morris left the ground for medical assistance after landing awkwardly in this contest.#AFLDogsFreo pic.twitter.com/kVIzSfpZmQ
— AFL (@AFL) July 28, 2019
Unfortunately for Morris, he looks due for another spell on the sidelines and may well have played his last AFL game, with coach Luke Beveridge confirming post-match that it's a suspected ACL injury.
LB: It's a suspected ACL injury for Dale. For him to still be vocal after he went down with injury, it speaks volumes of his integrity & who he is. #WBMedia
— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) July 28, 2019
The third quarter incident was the second time Morris' left knee had been a concern on Sunday, with the veteran heading to the rooms and emerging with more strapping on his knee following a contest in the first quarter.
Morris has played 253 senior games, famously turning out in the successful 2016 grand final with a fracture in his back.
Currently without a contract for next season, this could be the end of the road for 2008 All Australia.
