AFL: Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English to miss one more match with concussion, Mitch Wallis out for season

In-form Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English will miss a second-straight match as he recovers from a delayed concussion sustained in the round 14 defeat of the Giants.

English, who re-signed last week for two more years, is due to exit concussion protocols on the morning of Thursday night’s clash with Brisbane but the Dogs chose to give him an extra week off.

Ed Richards was subbed out of Friday night’s win over Hawthorn with his own concussion and will also be sidelined, while Dominic Bedendo will make his senior debut.

That news comes as out-of-contract veteran Mitch Wallis underwent season-ending foot surgery after “conservative management” failed to fix the issue.

English reported his concussion symptoms after arriving back in Melbourne from Sydney – with a dangerous tackle from Braydon Preuss potentially the cause – and already has a troubling history with brain injuries.

Preuss was subsequently banned for one game on a rough conduct charge.

English resumed training at the weekend and was on the track again at Whitten Oval on Tuesday, with coach Luke Beveridge optimistic he would be available to play Sydney next week.

He missed a month with a concussion last year after copping an accidental knee to the jaw from Aaron Naughton, and was the first player ruled out under concussion protocols because of a head knock in an intraclub game in 2020.

He has had no fewer than 20 disposals in any of his eight matches this year, but his concussion setback adds to a frustrating list of ailments, including illness and a hamstring injury, that have interrupted his season.

Spearhead Josh Bruce’s AFL comeback from his ACL rupture is also going to be delayed by at least another week after suffering what Beveridge described as a “minor” hamstring injury.

But there is positive news for Lachie Hunter, who is in the mix to play his first AFL game since returning from an extended period out while he focused on his mental health.

Hunter’s racked up 56 disposals across two VFL matches since returning, including a strong performance against Box Hill at the weekend.

“Lachie’s name will be spoken about. He played quite well in the victory here against Box Hill,” Beveridge said.

“He played in a different role to make sure he could have the most impact at state league level and he played well. We are likely to have a couple of changes.”