Four players escaped serious injury after a massive collision in the third quarter of the Western Bulldogs’ 81-point thrashing of GWS.
The ball was kicked into the Dogs’ forward 50, with Aaron Naughton and debutant Will Lewis attacking the ball, and Giants defenders Harry Himmelberg and Jayden Laverde defending the contest.
Himmelberg got a fist to the ball going back with the flight as Naughton collided with his back, pinballing him between Lewis, himself and Laverde.
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The carnage in the aftermath. Â Fox Footy
Naughton bounced up and ran off, but the other three were left in a heap as play was stopped to assess the damage.
“That was almost like a car accident where the cars bump one into the next. A three player pile-up in the end,” Corbin Middlemas told ABC Sport.
Himmelberg and Lewis were both split open and had to come from the ground with the blood rule and receive head injury assessments.
Laverde also gingerly came from the field having hurt his back.
Thankfully, Fox Footy’s Ben Dixon reported in the fourth quarter that all four were able to play out the contest.
“(Lewis) has a laceration to his eye, he’s OK, Himmelberg has received some stitches above his eye, Laverde is a bit ginger and has a back complaint – seems like he’s OK as well,” he said.
“Naughton left the contest with a (bowling) split.”
Jordan Lewis said in response to that injury update: “Geez it’s a good result, isn’t it?”
Jayden Laverde in pain after the collision. Â Fox Footy
After knocking off reigning premiers Brisbane at the Gabba in Opening Round, the Bulldogs made another powerful statement in the contest, smacking GWS, 21.8. (134) to 7.11. (53).
The Dogs kicked 11.1 in the first half in an incredibly efficient performance, proving too powerful for the Giants, who only managed four goals to that point.
Marcus Bontempelli tore GWS to shreds, kicking three goals from 17 disposals to half time.
The two teams have been spiteful rivals, dating back to the epic 2016 preliminary final, but it has become quite the one-sided feud.
Including Saturday’s result, the Dogs have now won 10 of the last 11 games between the two sides.
St Kilda champion Nick Dal Santo said on Fox Footy that stat “doesn’t quite make sense given how good the Giants have been and how intense the rivalry has been”.
AFL legend Leigh Matthews was incredibly impressed with the Dogs, saying their start to the season has elevated what he thinks they’re capable of in 2026.
“They have got their full team out there, that makes a big difference. With this team out there, they’re going to be as good as anyone,” Matthews told 3AW.
Marcus Bontempelli and Aaron Naughton celebrate a goal. Â Getty
Bontempelli finished with 33 disposals, three goals, two goal assists and 11 inside 50s in a completely dominant display.
In just his second game of footy, Lachie Jaques found 29 disposals and took nine marks for the Dogs, while Aaron Naughton kicked six and Sam Darcy kicked four. The twin towers dominating a GWS backline missing defenders Sam Taylor and Leek Aleer.
For the Giants, Finn Callaghan led the way with 27 disposals and two goals, while Lachie Ash finished with 31 and 13 marks.
After kicking five goals in Opening Round, Jake Stringer was incredibly quiet against his old side, finishing scoreless and with just five touches.
GWS will host St Kilda at Engie Stadium in round two, while the Western Bulldogs travel to take on Adelaide.