AFL 2024 LIVE updates: Fremantle Dockers, Carlton Blues face off in Gather Round

Neither side has made a late change yet while the subs have been named with Jaeger O’Meara (Dockers) and Matt Owies (Blues) starting in the svests.

Adelaide: Essendon’s midfield didn’t get obliterated by Port Adelaide because of any tactical breakdown. Brad Scott did not believe that the Bombers wanted for effort, either.

“It’s a good wake-up call for our guys, [but] it’s been a strength to our game,” said the Essendon coach after the 69-point loss at Adelaide Oval, harking back to the first three rounds, when the Dons’ midfielders, propelled by the metronomic consistency of their skipper, Zach Merrett, outran the Saints, beat up on the fledgling Hawks and went toe to toe against the Swans for three quarters.

Scott couldn’t say it, but the carnage of Friday night’s midfield massacre was primarily due to Port Adelaide’s vastly superior top end of talent in the midfield.

“Port right now are where we want to be,” said Scott.

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G’day everyone and welcome to our AFL live blog for this Saturday of Gather Round.

I’m Roy Ward and I’ll be tapping away as we cover Carlton v Fremantle and then Western Bulldogs v Geelong.

The Carlton game starts at 4.20pm AEDT and the Dogs v Cats at 8.10pm AEDT.

Enjoy the hours to come.