Hunter started in attack at Marvel Stadium on Sunday and was influential despite the injury when pushed up to a wing in the second half.

His performance helped the Dogs overturn a 27-point deficit as they powered home to win 16.11 (107) to 13.13 (91) and move back into second spot on the ladder.

But Hunter is now likely to miss the blockbuster meeting with third-placed Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

"It was a pretty determined, tough effort to get through the game and there's a chance that he might need a plate put in that (hand)," Dogs coach Luke Beveridge said.

"It's in the fourth metatarsal, the outside one, which isn't a significant thing, but they sting.

"Lachie had a huge last quarter when he went up to the wing."

Hunter's injury came as No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan suffered a setback of his own in his pursuit of an AFL debut, taken out of a VFL match because of concussion.

Ugle-Hagan kicked an early goal in Footscray's VFL win over Carlton but copped a knock to the head while attempting to tackle an opponent will serve a minimum 12 days out of action.

The Bulldogs have a VFL bye in round five and Beveridge, who earlier in the week said the highly rated teenager was about a month away from a senior call-up, suggested Ugle-Hagan may be sidelined for a couple of weeks.

"He was just a bit too eager and got jolted, basically," Beveridge said.

"He was jaded enough and our doc assessed him as having some symptoms so we took him out of the game.

"It's a shame because he's been getting through his work and he's headed in the right direction."

Beveridge praised AFL second-gamer Jordon Sweet's performance in the ruck against Carlton in the absence of Tim English (concussion) and Stefan Martin (achilles).

English is a chance to return against Port Adelaide but Martin faces more time on the sidelines.

Australian Associated Press