The Western Bulldogs are confident defender Dale Morris' badly broken leg won't stop him from getting a solid 2012 AFL pre-season.

Morris broke both the tibia and fibula in his lower right leg when he fell awkwardly in a fourth quarter marking contest in his side's 49-point loss to Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Doctors confirmed on Sunday that Morris had broken both bones and his season was over.

But they are confident the injuries are not at the most serious end of the scale.

"Both bones were able to be manipulated in hospital under anaesthetic without the need for surgery," the Bulldogs said in a statement.

"The club expects Morris to participate in the majority of pre-season training as he will be up and running within 10 to 12 weeks."

Already without key defenders Brian Lake and Tom Williams and Morris, the Dogs face a shortage of backmen for their clash with Port Adelaide next weekend.

Experienced Ryan Hargrave injured his back against Essendon and is also in doubt.

With the defeat putting the Bulldogs out of finals contention, coach Rodney Eade is keen to sift through the rest of his playing list to build for 2012.

Only four players on the Dogs' senior list haven't played so far this season - including highly rated tall Ayce Cordy.

Eade said Dogs fans could expect to see all of them in the remaining three matches of the year.

"Probably by natural attrition we'd have to play them anyway," Eade said.

"That will give opportunities to other players."

But one position Eade has no idea how he can cover in 2012 is the forward spearhead role Barry Hall continues to occupy with gusto as he farewells the game.

Hall has now booted 21 goals in his past four matches since announcing he would retire at the end of the season, with six against the Bombers.

"No idea at all - I haven't thought about it at all," Eade said.

"As a club you would love to have him next year, but he's just getting through each week, to be honest.

"I think he can see the finish line."

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