Teammates check on Luke Cleary during the round one match between Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, March 15, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos

THE WESTERN Bulldogs are optimistic young defender Luke Cleary will be okay after he was knocked out in a sickening collision late in their 16-point win over North Melbourne.

In sweltering conditions under the roof at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, the fast-starting Bulldogs took an early lead, kicking five of the first six goals and never let it slip, claiming a 17.11 (113) to 14.13 (97) round-one win.

BULLDOGS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

But the biggest talking point was a nasty collision between Kangaroo Jackson Archer and Cleary.

08:13

Highlights: Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne

The Bulldogs and Kangaroos clash in round one of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

Cleary was getting down low to pick up the ball, with Jacob Konstanty in pursuit, when Archer flung himself forward and went over the top of the Bulldog, collecting him in the head with his knee.

AFL.com.au has chosen not to publish a video of the incident due to its severity.

Cleary, 23, was knocked out and play was stopped for several minutes as he received medical attention before being taken off on a stretcher, and he was later taken to hospital as a precaution.

"Luke's headed off to hospital," Beveridge said.

10:36

Beveridge post-match, R1: 'It was encouraging to come away with the win'

Watch Western Bulldogs’s press conference after round one’s match against North Melbourne

"So I can't give you much other than that he'll obviously be in concussion protocols for a little while and ASAP we'll let you know what's happening with Luke.

"It just looked like just a bad crash, and players went hard and Luke's come off second-best.

"He was responsive enough on the ground for the medical staff to be optimistic."

While it didn't seem malicious, the incident may well come under scrutiny from the Match Review Officer.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:42

    Richards bullet has bite as gun opens the night

    Ed Richards drills a beautiful finish from the paint to get his side's season underway

    AFL
  • 00:32

    Debut Dog Davidson delivers career first

    Sam Davidson drills his maiden major in the big time and his teammates swarm him

    AFL
  • 00:43

    Superb Simpkin gets clever with bouncing beauty

    Jy Simpkin snaps through a smart finish to bring his side back into the contest

    AFL
  • 00:45

    Vandermeer scores and roars as contest heats up

    Laitham Vandermeer threads a smart crumbing finish to pump up his side

    AFL
  • 00:50

    Darting Dale cruises a cracker as Dogs hold lead

    Bailey Dale receives the footy at pace and finishes in style to extend his side's lead

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Double delight as young and new Dogs excite

    Joel Freijah nails a beauty from the restart before Matt Kennedy's super soccer sets up Lachie McNeil's first

    AFL
  • 00:51

    'Mercurial' Curtis wows all with magic soccer

    Paul Curtis keeps the ball alive and boots through an incredibly clever finish on the goal line

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Roo, Dog collide in sickening collision

    Luke Cleary is helped from the field on a stretcher after this brutal incident involving Jackson Archer in the final term

    AFL
  • 08:13

    Highlights: Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne

    The Bulldogs and Kangaroos clash in round one of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

    AFL
  • 11:24

    Clarkson post-match, R1: 'Disappointed that we gave them a little bit of a leg up'

    Watch North Melbourne’s press conference after round one’s match against Western Bulldogs

    AFL
  • 10:36

    Beveridge post-match, R1: 'It was encouraging to come away with the win'

    Watch Western Bulldogs’s press conference after round one’s match against North Melbourne

    AFL
  • 20:09

    Mini-Match: Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne

    Extended highlights of the Bulldogs and Kangaroos clash in round one of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

    AFL

"Just an unfortunate collision in the game, I hope the young fella's okay," North coach Alastair Clarkson said about the incident.

Despite the intent and attack on the ball that led to a few injury concerns in a hard-fought clash, Clarkson said he was disappointed with the loss.

"Pleased that we were in the game, but obviously disappointed that we just gave them a little bit of a leg up at the start and couldn't reel them back," he said post-match.

11:24

Clarkson post-match, R1: 'Disappointed that we gave them a little bit of a leg up'

Watch North Melbourne’s press conference after round one’s match against Western Bulldogs

The Bulldogs steadied with the first three goals of the final term and North couldn't bridge the gap.

"Both teams squandered some opportunities, but to hold sway in that last quarter when there's a lot of fatigue in round one, it's a good sign for our lads," Beveridge said.

The Bulldogs host Collingwood next Friday night while the Kangaroos play Melbourne next Sunday.