7.03pmClarkson sees good signs from LarkeyBy Roos coach Alastair Clarkson has painted a positive picture of skipper Nick Larkey’s goal-kicking woes.Larkey has long been one of the game’s most accurate kicks for goal but he has struggled in the second half of this season.Nick Larkey warms up.Getty Images“The pleasing part about him is that he is getting his shots,” Clarkson told Kayo Sports.“Everybody has a time when it’s not working for you. This is probably the first time in his career that he is finding it a battle to find the big sticks, but he kicked a couple last week for us.“His first one wasn’t impressive, but his next two were pretty good. The real pleasing part of his game is that he’s linking really well for us.”6.55pmBeveridge concerned about Perth fatigueBy Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says he isn’t concerned about his team’s six-day turnaround, but he is worried about fatigue from the club’s trip to Perth last round.“We’ve had a bit of a break but they are coming off a five-day break, so you can’t feel sorry for yourself,” Beveridge told Kayo Sports.“The six-day breaks don’t worry you as much but the Perth trip can be taxing.“We didn’t come back in until Tuesday, there is an expectation that they followed a program at home on Monday and the boys were professional about that.”Aaron Naughton warms up.Getty Images6.44pmGeelong forced to scrap concussion deal with playerBy Bridget McArthur and Danny RussellThe AFL says it did not approve an arrangement that meant a Geelong player with a history of concussion waived his legal responsibility for future on-field head trauma.The Cats were forced to scrap the waiver on Thursday after the AFL Players Association condemned the deal between the club and the player.The AFL is facing mounting legal actions over its liability for head trauma sustained on-field.AFL PhotosThe unnamed Geelong player signed the agreement acknowledging his elevated risk of concussion in 2024.“The AFL and AFLPA are aware of a complex and unique case in which a Geelong player was cleared as fit to play following an assessment by an AFL Concussion Panel,” the league said in a statement.6.28pm‘Different week’: Bulldogs close in on wildcard spotBy The Western Bulldogs are embracing their clash with North Melbourne like a final, knowing a win will lock in their top-10 spot.After a gritty 37-point defeat to ladder-leaders Fremantle in Perth, the Bulldogs are preparing to back up for Thursday night football at Marvel Stadium.Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge.Getty ImagesIf they can beat North for a 10th-straight time, the Bulldogs’ position in at least the wildcard round will be secure.It would be sweet relief for the Bulldogs, who finished ninth in 2023 and 2025 to miss the finals under the previous system.6.23pmInteractive: Follow your club’s path in 2026By 6.22pmGood eveningBy G’day all. It’s Roy Ward here and I’ll be tapping the keys for tonight’s AFL clash between Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.This is an enormous game for the Roos’ hopes of making the top-10 while the Dogs need every win they can get as they chase the highest finish possible.First bounce is set for 7.30pm AEST. Enjoy the night to come.1 of 1