WESTERN Bulldogs forward Luke Dahlhaus will be eligible for senior selection for the rest of the season with Brodie Moles being added to the long-term injury list this week.

The Dogs announced on Wednesday Moles required an operation on his shoulder and would miss the rest of the year.

Moles, 25, will head into theatre later this week.

The move to place Moles, who played 13 senior games last year but has struggled with form and injury this season, on the long-term casualty list paves the way for Dahlhaus to remain as an upgraded rookie for the rest of the year.

Dahlhaus and Ed Barlow were elevated from rookie status in early June - Dahlhaus for first-year forward Tom Hill, who was suffering from a foot complaint - and Barlow as the nominated rookie.

With Hill close to playing again, there was a chance Dahlhaus, who has played six games since his round 12 debut against St Kilda, would need to be reinstated to the rookie list.

But Moles' absence for the rest of the season enables him to remain in the Dogs' selection mix, and to carry on the form he has shown over the past six rounds where he has kicked six goals and laid 22 tackles. 

Just last week, senior forward Daniel Giansiracusa said players like Dahlhaus and fellow small goal-kicker Andrew Hooper had brought a new enthusiasm to the team with their intensity and determination to instigate pressure acts in the forward arc.

"We've got a few guys back and we're playing some good footy, and I think we're enjoying playing with each other and the energy the younger guys are bringing has probably revitalised the older guys a bit," he said last Thursday.

"To see Dahlhaus and Hooper, and [Liam] Jones is starting to get a bit more comfortable out there, it's quite exciting."

Jennifer Witham covers Western Bulldogs news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.