Bulldogs send Liberatore for tests after mid-game collapse; Reid stars as Eagles get first win of the season

Unbeaten Geelong will welcome back superstars Tom Hawkins and Patrick Dangerfield for their mouthwatering clash against the Lions in Brisbane on Saturday as a number of leading teams reel from a weekend plagued by injuries.

One of the most mystifying incidents of the weekend unfolded on Friday night when Western Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore collapsed late in the game against Essendon.

The 31-year-old midfielder will undergo a range of tests this week to determine what caused him to lose his balance.

He reported no concussion symptoms and was cleared to conduct a radio interview post game, but the Bulldogs decided on Saturday to take a cautious approach, ruling him out of Thursday’s match against St Kilda and putting him in the concussion protocols.

The Bulldogs made the decision independently of the AFL and are keen to rule out any other possibilities for his stumble before he returns to play.

St Kilda have headaches of their own ahead of the Marvel Stadium match, and will be sweating on the fitness of key forward Max King after he pulled up sore in their one-point loss to Greater Western Sydney.

Following initial concerns, King – who has endured numerous long-term injuries during his AFL career – has been cleared of major knee damage and remains a chance to play this week.

“Following scans this morning, Max King has been cleared of any structural damage to his knee,” the Saints said through a statement on Sunday.

“The key forward has some swelling and pain consistent with a contusion to the knee. We’re hoping Max will train this week and put his hand up for selection for Thursday night.”

Recruit Liam Henry, experienced midfielder Brad Crouch and utility Mason Wood remain on the sidelines for the Saints, who have two wins from five games.

Carlton could head into their crucial clash with the Giants at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon without running defenders Adam Saad and Mitch McGovern, who were taken from the ground with hamstring concerns during the Blues’ two-point loss to Adelaide.

It is the start of a challenging month for the Blues who take, ahead of MCG games against Geelong, Collingwood and Melbourne.

The Giants also have injury worries. Sam Taylor will sit out the Carlton clash with concussion, while vice-captain Stephen Coniglio is expected to miss the next two games with an MCL injury.

Geelong rested Hawkins for Sunday’s clash against the Kangaroos, which turned out to be a prudent decision considering the Cats romped to a 75-point victory at GMHBA Stadium, with Jeremy Cameron booting six goals and Brad Close four.

Scott said Hawkins and captain Dangerfield would be back to tackle the Lions.

“We’ve got a plan with Tom that’s subject to change week to week,” Scott said after Sunday’s victory.

“The good news is he was available to play this week, and we think he’ll be better next week for missing. Dangerfield really was available this week and (Jake) Kolodjashnij the same.”

The Cats will be expecting a tougher challenge against a “really sharp” Brisbane after last year’s grand finalists turned a 0-3 start into a 2-3 ledger, following wins against North Melbourne and Melbourne.

“That was a very good performance at the MCG (against Melbourne),” Scott said.

“Brisbane don’t need my help, but if you lose your first three, it can seem a little bit worse than it is.

“It might be the possibility that they’ve just played three good teams that most of the competition would lose to if they’re a bit off. But it didn’t look that way to me on Thursday night, so we’ll be ready.”

North Melbourne’s Colby McKercher was taken to hospital for cautionary scans on Sunday after being hit in the ribs against Geelong, but escaped long-term damage.

On the tribunal front, Adelaide’s Matt Crouch was given a week for forceful front-on contact on Carlton’s Jack Carroll, which was graded carless conduct, medium impact and high contact. The Crows play the Bombers at home on Friday night.

Port Adelaide star Zak Butters was cleared for his bump on Fremantle’s Bailey Banfield late in their match on Saturday.

Kangaroo forwards enduring a drought

Nick Larkey must have watched each one of Jeremy Cameron’s six goals with complete and utter envy. Cameron was inundated with supply at GMHBA stadium, as were the rest of his fellow Geelong forwards - the Cats had nine different goalkickers.

In comparison, Larkey has had to endure an ongoing famine. For the first 13 minutes of the game, the Kangaroos could not get the ball forward of centre. In the same time frame, Geelong had amassed 11 inside 50s.

In the end, Larkey had to drift out of starvation corner and go looking for possession as far afield as North Melbourne’s halfback line.

But this is hardly anything new. North Melbourne has had the worst inside 50 differential of any side in the competition from 2021 to 2024.
Of their past 72 matches, the Kangaroos have won their inside 50 count a meagre 14 times. They are even worse than the Eagles. It is a small miracle, therefore, that Larkey kicked his 200th career goal in this match - the milestone coming from his 99 games. Where Cameron frolics in a GMHBA oasis, Larkey is forced to operate in a desert.

The Roos were smashed in the midfield, starved in their forward line and overrun in defence against the Cats. They were too slow with their ball movement, too sloppy under pressure and on the few occasions they made it forward they Larkey with long bombs, allowing Geelong defenders Tom Stewart, Jack Henry and Sam De Koning to intercept or spoil.

Harry Sheezel had a lot of the ball, but so he should have, mopping up in defence, while Luke Davies-Uniake and George Wardlaw battled away. Kangaroos looked to have unearthed a promising defender in Bigoa Nyuon, who did not look out of place in his debut game, considering he

All roads lead to Brisbane

The Cats join Greater Western Sydney as the only two unbeaten sides in the competition after a 75-point walk in the park against the Roos.

It was bruise free footy which will allow them to head to the Gabba on Saturday in pristine shape to take on the Lions. They had the luxury of subbing off Mark Blicavs at three-quarter time. They lost their round 19 clash last year in Brisbane by 11 points in a low-scoring game.

With Tom Hawkins due back, after being rested for the match against the Roos, and Patrick Dangerfield nearing a return from a hamstring injury, the Cats are in tip top shape.

Their defence will be ready for the big Lions forwards - Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood. Tom Stewart, Jack Henry and Sam De Koning were miserly against North Melbourne, conceding just 10 goals for the game.

Jack Bowes provided dynamic drive from the midfield at GMHBA, and complimented the grunt of Tom Atkins, but they will meet sterner resistance in Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley and Cam Rayner.

The Geelong forwards will rarely have an easier day this year than against the Roos. They had a field day. Grian Myers started the romp, continually delivering his precise bullets into the forward arc. Cameron booted six, Brad Close four and Hawkins’ late replacement Shannon Neale managed three. They had nine different goalkickers.

It won’t be so easy against the Lions.

No need to review the behind line

The in-game score reviews continue to reach silly levels. Now we are even reviewing when the ball crosses the behind line. Surely, this isn’t necessary?

Halfway through the third quarter at GMHBA Stadium, the goal umpire and the central umpire called for a review of a ball that may or may not have crossed the behind line. The goal umpire ruled that it did, but called for a review anyway.

The impending decision stalled the game - and annoyed spectators - for what seemed like an eternity. In the end, the score review official had insufficient evidence to overturn the goal umpire’s decision, which was that the ball had crossed the behind line and was a point.

By the time the Kangaroos were permitted to bring the ball back into play, the Cats had well and truly reset and there was little chance for a quick rebound. There were several reviews during the game, and it has well and truly reached epidemic levels.

The crowd continued to boo loudly when it happened during the last quarter.

Now we are even reviewing when the ball crosses the behind line. Surely, this isn’t necessary?

Halfway through the third quarter at GMHBA Stadium, the goal umpire and the central umpire called for a review that stalled the game for what seemed like an eternity.

In the end, the score review official had insufficient evidence to overturn the goal umpire’s decision, which was that the ball had crossed the behind line and was a point.

By the time the Kangaroos were permitted to bring the ball back into play, the Cats had well and truly reset.

The third quarter itself was a dull affair.

Geelong have the game in the bag and basically went through the motions, stretching their 51-point half-time lead to 10 goals.

Incredibly, the Kangaroos lead disposals 282-269 but this is because the Cats are more purposeful and direct. Geelong leads the inside-50 count 47 to 33, and the centre clearances 13-4.

Unbeaten Geelong will welcome back superstars Tom Hawkins and Patrick Dangerfield for their mouthwatering clash against the Lions in Brisbane on Saturday as a number of leading teams reel from a weekend plagued by injuries.

One of the most mystifying incidents of the weekend unfolded on Friday night when Western Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore collapsed late in the game against Essendon.

The 31-year-old midfielder will undergo a range of tests this week to determine what caused him to lose his balance.

He reported no concussion symptoms and was cleared to conduct a radio interview post game, but the Bulldogs decided on Saturday to take a cautious approach, ruling him out of Thursday’s match against St Kilda and putting him in the concussion protocols.

The Bulldogs made the decision independently of the AFL and are keen to rule out any other possibilities for his stumble before he returns to play.

St Kilda have headaches of their own ahead of the Marvel Stadium match, and will be sweating on the fitness of key forward Max King after he pulled up sore in their one-point loss to Greater Western Sydney.

Following initial concerns, King – who has endured numerous long-term injuries during his AFL career – has been cleared of major knee damage and remains a chance to play this week.

“Following scans this morning, Max King has been cleared of any structural damage to his knee,” the Saints said through a statement on Sunday.

“The key forward has some swelling and pain consistent with a contusion to the knee. We’re hoping Max will train this week and put his hand up for selection for Thursday night.”

Recruit Liam Henry, experienced midfielder Brad Crouch and utility Mason Wood remain on the sidelines for the Saints, who have two wins from five games.

Carlton could head into their crucial clash with the Giants at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon without running defenders Adam Saad and Mitch McGovern, who were taken from the ground with hamstring concerns during the Blues’ two-point loss to Adelaide.

It is the start of a challenging month for the Blues who take, ahead of MCG games against Geelong, Collingwood and Melbourne.

The Giants also have injury worries. Sam Taylor will sit out the Carlton clash with concussion, while vice-captain Stephen Coniglio is expected to miss the next two games with an MCL injury.

Geelong rested Hawkins for Sunday’s clash against the Kangaroos, which turned out to be a prudent decision considering the Cats romped to a 75-point victory at GMHBA Stadium, with Jeremy Cameron booting six goals and Brad Close four.

Scott said Hawkins and captain Dangerfield would be back to tackle the Lions.

“We’ve got a plan with Tom that’s subject to change week to week,” Scott said after Sunday’s victory.

“The good news is he was available to play this week, and we think he’ll be better next week for missing. Dangerfield really was available this week and (Jake) Kolodjashnij the same.”

The Cats will be expecting a tougher challenge against a “really sharp” Brisbane after last year’s grand finalists turned a 0-3 start into a 2-3 ledger, following wins against North Melbourne and Melbourne.

“That was a very good performance at the MCG (against Melbourne),” Scott said.

“Brisbane don’t need my help, but if you lose your first three, it can seem a little bit worse than it is.

“It might be the possibility that they’ve just played three good teams that most of the competition would lose to if they’re a bit off. But it didn’t look that way to me on Thursday night, so we’ll be ready.”

North Melbourne’s Colby McKercher was taken to hospital for cautionary scans on Sunday after being hit in the ribs against Geelong, but escaped long-term damage.

On the tribunal front, Adelaide’s Matt Crouch was given a week for forceful front-on contact on Carlton’s Jack Carroll, which was graded carless conduct, medium impact and high contact. The Crows play the Bombers at home on Friday night.

Port Adelaide star Zak Butters was cleared for his bump on Fremantle’s Bailey Banfield late in their match on Saturday.

Well, that’s it from us. Thanks for joining us for another round of footy, one with plenty of upsets!

We’ll see you next week.

Go footy!

West Coast have been on a scoring spree. They’ve cracked the 100 for the first time in over a year.

And it was Campbell Chesser who broke into the hundreds with the Eagles’ 16th goal of the day.

West Coast lead by 41 points, midway through the final term.

Mykelti Lefau has provided a bright spot for Richmond on a tough day.

The 26-year-old is providing a good case for keeping him in the forward line with his second goal from eight disposals. He looks like a natural forward.

West Coast lead by 36.

The MRO decisions are in from Saturday’s games are in.

Adelaide’s Matt Crouch has been handed a one-match ban for a high bump on Jack Carroll.

Crouch was reported for forceful front-on contact, which the MRO graded as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.

Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters has been cleared for his bump on Bailey Banfield, while Brandon Zerk-Thatcher earned a fine for rough conduct on Jye Amiss.

Crow Jordan Dawson was also handed a fine for rough conduct on Oliver Hollands.

Stop it, Waterman! He’s now got six.

He earned a free deep in the inside 50 and slotted through the set shot. Adem Yze is lost on how to stop the damaging forward while working with undermanned playing list.

It’s not looking good for the Tigers, who now trail by 45-points. For the Eagles, however, it’s a first win of the season they’re eyeing.