If there's one silver lining to Josh Bruce's season-ending knee injury, it's that he was finally due to be reunited with his young family after Thursday's surgery.
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Bruce's wife Pip, his daughter Poppy and his son August were set to be released from quarantine on Thursday, meaning they would be at his bed side when he woke up from surgery.
Scans confirmed the 29-year-old Canberra junior suffered a ruptured ACL in Sunday's shock loss to Essendon, on the eve of his second finals campaign.
"I've got no doubt it exacerbates the emotional elements [suffering the injury so close to finals]," Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said.
"Added to that he's been isolated from Pip his partner, Poppy and Augie, his two children because of the fact that they were up north after our Gold Coast game and then the quarantine aspect, so he hasn't seem them for a little while either.
"They're scheduled to come out of isolation today as well, so at least he'll wake up to his family, that's a real positive.
"He's pretty philosophical about it all. He's processed the disappointment and he wants to get on with it.
"He wanted to have the surgery asap and get on the front foot with it so he could get back as quickly as possible which is a great attitude to have and that's the attitude that we've all got to have."
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Beveridge said the club had been monitoring a cut on Bruce's other leg in the lead up to Thursday's surgery.
"He had a graze on his other leg, we were just making sure that from an infection point of view that we didn't take any risks so he's scheduled to have the operation today," Beveridge said on Thursday.
"It is devastating for Josh. We've got to move on pretty quickly because there's a lot at stake so we'll find a way."
The injury has left Beveridge with a massive headache ahead of Saturday's crunch clash with Hawthorn in Launceston.
His side is still capable of claiming the AFL minor premiership, but will likely need to win its last two regular season matches without their star full forward who has booted 48 goals in 20 games this year.
"We haven't got Josh for the remaining elements of the season but as we've always done, we've just got to find a way to make sure we fulfill the critical roles and put together a blend that'll help us win against Hawthorn," Beveridge said.
"They've really been impressive with their younger brigade coming through. They've found a way to win some important games for them against some of the teams up the higher end of the ladder. It doesn't get any easier for us."
Beveridge's Bulldogs slipped to second following their loss to the Bombers, which left their minor premiership quest requiring ladder leaders Melbourne to lose at least one of their remaining two games.
The coach remained hopeful, but doubtful that key ruckman Stefan Martin, who has been battling hip and groin injuries since round 12, would be available to play a role during the finals.
"For a player that's been out for so long, it would be a huge risk. You just can't afford to lose anyone in those circumstances in any game, let alone a final," Beveridge said.
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
