Prior to the dramatic events last Saturday night at Etihad Stadium, the Western Bulldogs were already undermanned.

Now, against the Cats at Simonds Stadium to open round 19, the Dogs will not only have to bounce back from a game they were expected to win but again reshuffle a 22 missing key personnel.

Enough misfortune had already fallen upon the Whitten Oval in round three when much-loved captain Bob Murphy tore his anterior cruciate ligament to miss the rest of the 2016 season – but things took a further turn for the worse last week under the roof.

Insider midfielder Mitch Wallis suffered a horrific leg break against the Saints and unfortunately faces a long road back to football, whilst emerging key forward Jack Redpath went down with a knee injury and will undergo a third knee reconstruction.

Thankfully there is good news on the horizon as the likes of Luke Dahlhaus and Jake Stringer look set to make their returns this week from knee and shoulder injuries respectively – just in time to face Geelong.

Veteran defender Dale Morris remains under an injury cloud after the 33-year-old was iced for the second half against St.Kilda with what appeared to be hamstring tightness. He could be risked however in what is a crucial match for the seventh-placed Bulldogs.

If Morris misses then first-year defender Kieran Collins could come in for his second career game after 18 disposals, six marks and four tackles in the VFL or potentially former Cat Joel Hamling who was named emergency in round 18.

Meanwhile, creative midfielder Lukas Webb booted two goals to go with his 30 disposals, four marks and nine tackles and Mitch Honeychurch had 25 disposals, seven marks and 13 tackles. Both have put their hand up to replace Wallis in the Dogs’ midfield rotation though could ultimately miss out with the return of Dahlhaus.

With two potential changes, here is how the Western Bulldogs are expected to line up in round 19:

OUT: M.Wallis, J.Redpath

IN: L.Dahlhaus, J.Stringer