Western Bulldogs veteran Robert Murphy has revealed his "spoil of the year" at training is the reason for an elbow injury that will most likely see him miss the start of the premiership season.

The 31-year-old, who fell awkwardly at training two weeks ago and is now wearing a brace, will meet with a surgeon later this week to determine whether he needs to go under the knife.

“It was probably spoil of the year, that’s what the boys have been calling it, but probably more awkward than anything if I’m being brutally honest,” Murphy said when recalling the incident.

Surgery would likely sideline Murphy for longer than the initial eight to 10-week prognosis.

"Friday's D-Day I guess," he said.

"Crossing fingers I don't have to do that (surgery) and be able to get back in to it sooner than later."

The 249-game veteran hopes the injury will heal naturally.

"It's not a hail Mary. It's quite likely it (the elbow tendon) will stitch back on, I'm led to believe."

While the setback has already interrupted Murphy's preparation for the 2014 season, it is also causing a few problems on the home front.

"I've got a three-week-old baby and my duties have been lightened and that hasn't been that popular," Murphy joked

"She (wife Justine) is very understanding but it hasn’t been overly popular."