Geelong Cats vs Essendon Bombers LIVE: Cats make late change as Martin goes out; Cameron chases goal ton against Dons We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later. DismissSkip to sections navigationSkip to contentSkip to footer Our network Open NavigationMenu Brisbane Times Brisbane Times Search Site Show subsections Western Australia Show subsections Bulls N' Bears The economy Banking & finance Small business Show subsections North America Middle East South America Show subsections Western Australia Show subsections Show subsections Rugby union Show subsections Tips & advice Show subsections Art & design Live reviews Show subsections Health & wellness Life & relationships Show subsections Destination guides Inspiration Reviews & advice Travel news Good Weekend Sunday Life Show subsections Super & retirement Planning & budgeting Environment Show subsections Conservation Climate change Sustainability Show subsections Video games The Sydney Morning Herald Brisbane Times The Australian Financial Review Commercial Real Estate Advertisement Geelong Cats vs Essendon Bombers LIVE: Cats make late change as Martin goes out; Cameron chases goal ton against Dons By Roy Ward Updated August 8, 2025 — 7.03pmfirst published at 6.39pm Log in, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size 7.03pmNewcombe, Howe clash cleared by match review 6.52pmSubs named 6.45pmCats make a late change 6.41pmDons won’t go negative says Scott 6.39pmScott backs Cats’ Jezza watch after Port demolition 6.36pmInteractive: Your club’s progress so far in 2025 Hide key posts Go to latest Pinned post from 6.36pm Interactive: Your club’s progress so far in 2025 Latest posts Latest posts Newcombe, Howe clash cleared by match review The AFL’s match review officer has cleared the collision that left Jeremy Howe knocked out in the opening minutes of last night’s Collingwood v Hawthorn clash. The MRO released the following explanation of the incident which most observers thought should not draw a charge. Jai Newcombe of the Hawks and Jeremy Howe of the Magpies are seen after a collision.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images “The incident involving Hawthorn’s Jai Newcombe and Collingwood’s Jeremy Howe from the first quarter of Thursday night’s match was assessed by the match review officer,” the MRO explained. “Newcombe and Howe approach a loose ball from opposite directions and as the ball bounces towards and into the possession of Howe, Newcombe elects to tackle and in this attempt to tackle, a head clash occurs. “It was the view of the MRO that Newcombe’s attempt to tackle was not unreasonable in the circumstances and did not constitute a reportable offence. No further action was taken.” Mabior Chol (rough conduct) and Daniel McStay (tripping) were both assessed fines from the match. As reported earlier, Jack Martin is out and Jhye Clark has come in for Geelong. Clark (Cats) and Jye Menzie (Dons) will start as the subs. Cats make a late change Geelong recruit Jack Martin has impressed as their sub in the past few games but he has been withdrawn in a late change. The Cats have listed Martin as being “managed” and Jhye Clark will come into the side. Jack Martin of the Cats celebrates a goal last round.Credit: Getty Images Advertisement Dons won’t go negative says Scott Essendon coach Brad Scott says it goes against his beliefs to play too negatively and try to restrict Jeremy Cameron’s chances to kick goals. But Scott said he wanted his young side to defend aggressively but remain conscious of Geelong’s ability to score quickly. Lachlan Blakiston of the Bombers reaches for the ball against Sydney last round.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images “It goes against every fibre in my being to want to protect the score,” Brad Scott told Fox Footy. “We want to set up the game to win. We will set out to really challenge Geelong and ask them some questions, but we know they can score quickly and we have to be prepared for that.” Scott backs Cats’ Jezza watch after Port demolition Chris Scott admits Jeremy Cameron’s teammates had an extra eye out for him as the Geelong spearhead continued his pursuit of a rare century with six goals in an 88-point thumping of Port Adelaide. But the two-time premiership coach doesn’t believe it has become an issue that is hurting the Cats, who pressed their case for a top-two spot in the dominant 23.15 (153) to 9.11 (65) victory at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday. Jeremy Cameron.Credit: Getty Images It lifted fourth-placed Geelong (14-6) to within one win of top sides Adelaide and Collingwood, and two points shy of Brisbane, with three rounds left in the home-and-away campaign. Cameron, who kicked a career-best 11 goals against North Melbourne in round 20, had four goals to halftime against Port under close attention from Lachie Jones. The 32-year-old’s tally stands at 75 for the year and he has another three games, plus finals, to become the first player since Hawthorn’s Lance Franklin in 2008 to kick 100 in a season. “Trying to put myself in that position, I’d be a bit enthused around the idea,” Scott said. “My sense is that it’s still so far off. Like, he’s going to have to play a few finals, which is a long way from a guarantee for us. “I think we’re a better team when he has the ball but there is a line there where if we’re choosing him over better options then we’d need to address it. “I’m not seeing it too much, but they’re clearly looking for him.” Cameron benefited multiple times when teammates handed off the ball from positions where they could have taken shots at goal themselves. “There are certain positions on the ground where him snapping the ball on his left (foot) is a higher percentage than one of the best kicks in our team on their right,” Scott said. “I’m happy for him to get the ball in that situation.” Max Holmes (35 disposals, two goals), Bailey Smith (30 touches, eight clearances) and Gryan Miers (30 disposals, one goal) also stood out for Geelong, who kicked 20 goals to Port’s six after quarter-time. Irish tagger Oisin Mullin limited Port star Zak Butters to just 10 disposals and Cats substitute Jack Martin kicked four goals in a superb third-quarter cameo. The only concern for Geelong was Tom Stewart’s high contact on Ollie Wines, which will be scrutinised by the AFL match review officer. Stewart jumped off the ground in an attempt to smother a Wines handpass and landed on his Power opponent. But Stewart’s act did not appear malicious and he immediately showed concern for Wines, who was able to play out the game. Wines (32 disposals, eight clearances) and Travis Boak (24 touches, one goal) fought hard for Port, who lost captain Connor Rozee (illness) as a late withdrawal. Jase Burgoyne was subbed out with an ankle complaint, adding to the Power’s injury woes, while Mitch Georgiades finished with three goals. “All this considered, it wasn’t totally unexpected that we’d battle our way through a game down here against Geelong,” Port coach Ken Hinkley said. “It was a full-strength Geelong against clearly an undermanned team that we took out there. “But I thought the boys hung in there as much as they possibly could for most parts of the game. “Geelong had that dominant third quarter with nine goals and outside of that we weren’t too far off probably what most people would’ve expected.” Interactive: Your club’s progress so far in 2025 Advertisement Good evening G’day everyone and welcome to our AFL live blog as Geelong takes on Essendon at GMHBA Stadium. First bounce is set for 7.40pm AEST. Please enjoy the night to come. 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