Morris, Montagna face uncertain AFL future

The AFL careers of decorated veterans Dale Morris and Leigh Montagna could be over after both suffered serious injuries.

Western Bulldogs fullback Morris broke both bones in his forearm during the reigning premiers’ 54-point win over Gold Coast on Saturday.

The 34-year-old is off-contract and no certainty to play on next year despite remaining a valuable contributor.

“It’s a pretty serious injury, and obviously we doubt we’ll get him back for the rest of the year,” coach Luke Beveridge said.

“We’ll have to work through that with Dale, and work out whether (playing on) is right for him and for the club.”

Morris has had wretched luck with injuries throughout his career, headlined by a broken leg which sidelined him for the entire 2012 season.

The tough defender showed remarkable courage when he played through last year’s finals series with a fractured vertebrae, and he also missed seven games with a fractured leg earlier this year.

Gold Coast and former Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said he hoped Morris would continue on next year.

“He’s as good a player as I’ve coached,” Eade said.

“He’s beat them tall, small, shown courage for his teammates … hopefully for his sake he’s got the will to go on next year.”

Off-contract Saints veteran Montagna also faces an uncertain future after injuring his hamstring during their loss to Sydney on Saturday night.

The 33-year-old is yet to undergo scans and declined to comment on his injury upon landing at Melbourne Airport on Sunday, but it appears likely he will also struggle to get back this season.

An All-Australian in 2009 and 2010, Montagna has shown glimpses of his best but struggled for consistency this season.

In other key injury news, Fremantle’s Michael Walters is unlikely to play again this season after injuring his posterior cruciate ligament during their loss to Hawthorn.

Port Adelaide forward Chad Wingard and Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn will both undergo scans after hurting their ankles during Saturday’s clash at the MCG.

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