BULLDOGS young gun Jarrad Grant hasn't completely given up hope of playing this year, despite being diagnosed with the early onset of osteitis pubis.

Grant, 19, had played seven games for Williamstown before being pulled back in late May owing to soreness in the groin.

It is the second setback for Grant this season after he was stung by a stingray the morning of his debut NAB Cup match in February.

"Mentally, he's a bit shattered," club development coach Brad Gotch told westernbulldogs.com.au.

"I don't think he's totally given up on playing this year, so we've just got to be a little bit careful because if he's got those hopes, we've got to keep supporting those until there's no potential to actually play because there's still another seven or eight games left.”

Gotch said the club is confident it caught the troublesome groin complaint early, and is set to develop a straight-line running program for the young forward before deciding if there is any point in getting him back playing this year.

He also said the club's No.1 draft pick from last year will benefit from time spent lifting weights as he recuperates.

"You've got to decide how many weeks are left in the year and do you risk him?" he said.

"Before he went down with this, we probably hadn't seen the full potential of him because he's been carrying some soreness for a while.

"But we saw enough to suggest he's athletic and quick and a good mark and those sort of things, so if he can put on some size and get a bit fitter, it's only going to help him.

"Being in the gym for a lengthy period will certainly help him."