LUCKLESS Fremantle recruit Scott Gumbleton could miss half the season after another major blow to his fragile hamstrings.

The goalkicker suffered a significant tear high in his right hamstring in Wednesday night’s win against the Western Bulldogs, ruling him out for 12 weeks.

Gumbleton, 25, was restricted to just 35 games in seven seasons at Essendon before joining the Dockers in exchange for draft pick No. 55.

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He was expected to partner Matthew Pavlich in attack and joined last year’s Grand Finalist alongside Colin Sylvia, who also made an underwhelming start in purple.

It was originally thought Gumbleton had suffered a standard tear, which would rule him out for three weeks.

Shattered to hear the news for me old mate Gumbles to miss some footy, know he will bounce back! #juwan — Brent Prismall (@BrentPrismall09) March 1, 2014

But Gumbleton’s scans were sent to a Melbourne specialist on Friday, which confirmed the seriousness of the injury.

media_camera Gumbleton takes a grab before the blow.

The No. 2 pick lasted just 22 minutes against the Dogs before breaking down and being substituted out.

“It’s very frustrating for Scott given the preparation he has had,” Fremantle football manager Chris Bond said.

“At this stage we expect that he will miss the next 12 weeks.”

Dockers coach Ross Lyon said after the 28-point NAB Challenge win against the Dogs he felt for Gumbleton.

“He needs to be resilient from here and keep going and not drop his bundle.”

The Dockers open the AFL season in less than two weeks when they travel to Etihad Stadium to face Collingwood.

They will also be without Jon Griffin and Keplar Bradley, who are returning from knee reconstructions, with Zac Clarke an outside chance to return from a knee injury he suffered at Lorne’s New Year’s Eve Falls music festival.