Key forward duo Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton, along with midfield star Ed Richards, have all had shoulder surgery immediately after the end of their disappointing season.
The Bulldogs had high hopes in 2025 and spent large parts of the year in the top eight, but a dreadful record against the rest of the competition's finalists left them ninth on the AFL ladder.
Gold Coast's victory over Essendon last Wednesday sealed the Dogs' fate and all three stars had surgery within 48 hours of the Suns' triumph, according to AFL.com.au
Darcy, who recovered from a midseason knee injury to make huge strides in his fourth AFL season, has had a shoulder reconstruction.
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Naughton, who like Darcy made the extended All-Australian squad and kicked a career-best 60 goals this year, has also had his shoulder repaired.
And Richards, who earned his first All-Australian blazer this week, is the third member of the trio to undergo a shoulder reconstruction.
All three are expected to regain full fitness before Christmas as Luke Beveridge's squad attempts to shake off this year's below-par campaign and compete for the finals in 2026.
Richards joined fellow Dogs Marcus Bontempelli and Bailey Dale in the final All-Australian side of 22 players.
Dale is the fourth member of the Bulldogs' line-up to face surgery, after he suffered a broken wrist in their round 24 loss to Fremantle.
The 178-game veteran fell awkwardly in the third term against the Dockers, yet still managed to play out the final quarter, picking up eight disposals and two marks before scans showed he had sustained a fracture.