The Western Bulldogs’ loss to Carlton on Thursday night has been compounded by a concerning incident involving defender Hayden Crozier.
Crozier collapsed at half time after complaining of light-headedness, and was immediately substituted out of the game.
He was spotted in the Bulldogs’ rooms during the third quarter hooked up to an ECG, but wasn’t taken to hospital.
Speaking after the game, Dogs coach Luke Beveridge described the incident as ‘the old-fashioned fainted’.
“He just fainted,” Beveridge said in his press conference.
“So yeah, we’re all concerned about him. Our medical staff think he’s okay. Not sure about the reason why, but he just got light-headed and fainted.
“Obviously straightaway, you make sure that he’s looked after and I think he was in good hands, but that’s all I’ve got for you at the moment.”
The Bulldogs medical team are yet to determine what caused Crozier to faint, or indeed whether he will be right to face Sydney next Thursday night.
However, Beveridge was confident the incident didn’t affect the Bulldogs, who fought back from 31 points down at half time to lose to the Blues by 12.
“I’m not sure who was around him when it happened and I didn’t see how it happened, so I couldn’t tell you whether it impacted anyone,” the coach said.
“I’d say, given the way we played in the second half, that I don’t think it impacted anyone’s performances.”
The Bulldogs find themselves in a perilous position already in 2022, having started the year with consecutive losses to Melbourne and the Blues.
‘Not just Bud’: Cats conscious of being too Franklin-centric as milestone looms
With Sydney superstar Lance Franklin just four majors away from his 1000th career goal, Geelong coach Chris Scott knows his team will need to prepare for the rest of the Swans’ forward line too.
Franklin was well held by GWS’ Phil Davis in the Swans’ Round 1 match, but teammates Luke Parker (five goals) and Isaac Heeney (three) proved harder to stop.
Speaking to media on Thursday afternoon, Scott admitted the Cats’ defence will ‘proritise Lance’, but won’t be sleeping on Parker, Heeney and the Swans’ other attacking options.
We’ll prioritise Lance, we owe him that respect – but Isaac Heeney and Luke Parker are super players, it’s impossible for them to sneak up on us,” Scott said.
I understand the logic that if you focus too much on a gun that others can bob up, it’s kind of like what we’re trying to do on the other end as well. They present multiple threats, the Swans: they’ve become a good team with some really good young players coming in, high draft picks.
“They’re a talented team, it’s not just Bud.”
No team has a better record on Franklin than the Cats, who have kept him to 2.42 goals per game in 24 appearances against the blue and white hoops.
Only old side Hawthorn, from far fewer matches, have fared better against the champion forward.
Lance Franklin. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Cotchin’s blunt response to Barty footy rumours
Ash Barty had only retired from tennis for a matter of hours before speculation began to move into which sport, if any, the three-time grand slam champion would take up next.
Chief among them was AFL, with Barty a known Richmond tragic who famously presented the Tigers with the 2020 premiership cup.
However, close friend and Tigers captain Trent Cotchin had a blunt response, when asked by The Age whether Barty should consider taking up the code:
“No!”
While Cotchin admitted to Barty’s sudden announcement catching him off guard, the news doesn’t come as a surprise, having spoken with the tennis ace over the years about her career goals.
“I was not necessarily surprised, although you don’t necessarily believe it to be true until it happens,” Cotchin said.
“I did talk to her a number of times about this and life across a number of years… I have left her be since yesterday morning knowing things are probably a little hectic.
“I’m incredibly proud of Ash, obviously of her achievements and getting the absolute best out of herself but more importantly her growth and willingness to live true to her values.”
Despite Cotchin’s call on Barty’s AFL aspirations, a code-switch has the backing of none other than Tigers coach Damien Hardwick.
Speaking earlier in the week, Hardwick was adamant Barty could be ‘an absolute star’ if she decided to turn her talents to the AFLW.
“It would be good for actually to see her play because whatever she turns her hand to, she does very well at,” he said.
“I assume, from my point of view, she’d be an absolute star at playing AFL.
“I’d love to see her in Tiger colours, and I’m sure the Richmond faithful would as well.”