AFL 2024 round three LIVE updates: North Melbourne Kangaroos, Carlton Blues take the stage for Good Friday clash

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has called for revamp of the AFL’s illicit drugs policy, saying the current model does not satisfactorily look after the “99 per cent” of players who do not use drugs.

Beveridge said the policy did not protect the vast majority of players, and is adamant players did not withdraw from games to avoid match day testing, as alleged by federal MP Andrew Wilkie in parliament on Tuesday.

AFL chief Andrew Dillon has told clubs the league will continue with a health-based drugs policy but changes are likely. Even senior club doctors are supportive of the current policy have acknowledged there is a need for tweaks to be made.

A longtime critic of the policy, Beveridge said the AFL Players Association, who must consent for any changes to be made, needed to look after all players.

“All I want is for the new model to cater for the people who don’t take illicit drugs,” Beveridge said.

“I want it to cater for the vast majority, the 99 per cent of the playing cohort who don’t take it.

“This is where the PA and their attitude and their perception of how clubs would manage situations forget that the playing cohort are affected by it as well.

“They’re trying to play in winning teams, in premiership teams, and all staff want to do is is support their playing group and each other. The current model doesn’t do that.

“Whatever it is, take that in and be mindful that people in the industry need to be supported by whatever the new model is as well.“

Veteran midfielder Jack Macrae will play his first game of the season on Sunday against West Coast after starring with 46 possessions in the VFL last week.

Beveridge said the three-time All Australian, a notable exclusion in the opening two rounds, now had the required match fitness to play in the senior side after an interrupted preseason.

Beveridge was critical of analysts in the media who said Macrae was no longer playing in the midfield based on reduced centre bounce attandances.

“Jack played as a midfielder last year. He might not been in as many centre bounces but go and have a look at all the other stoppages outside of it. And where is he? He’s at them,” Beveridge said.

“I think some accurate sort of analysis and reporting around that is important. Most teams these days generally are playing with five forwards. If that’s the case, that sixth forward is by and large playing as a midfielder.

“Jack will definitely play as a midfielder. How many centre bounces he’ll be in, I can’t tell you.“

The Dogs are not using last year’s shock defeat to the Eagles, which cost them a finals berth, as extra motivation but Beveridge said players were stung by the loss.

“I know they’ll be feeling there’s a stigma attached to what happened last year,” Beveridge said.

“I think there’ll be some kind of response here but by and large, week to week, we’re trying to establish some momentum in the competition and it wouldn’t matter if it was in the Eagles or anyone else.“

Skipper Marcus Bontempelli and star forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan are both battling injuries but are likely to play after looking comfortable at training on Friday.

Neither side has made a late change. Eddie Ford (Roos) and Orazio Fantasia (Blues) are the subs.

Carlton will come out of their unusual early-season AFL bye with a brace of important inclusions for the Good Friday match against North Melbourne.

While the 2-0 Blues will start as strong favourites in the twilight game at Marvel Stadium, coach Michael Voss took note of the young Kangaroos’ impressive first half last week against Fremantle.

Carlton will welcome back Jacob Weitering, one of their most important players, and fellow defender Caleb Marchbank from injury.

Small forward Elijah Hollands will also play his first game for the Blues after the former Gold Coast player served his two-game illicit drugs ban.

Star midfielder Sam Walsh continues to make good progress in his much-discussed return from a back injury and could return in the next fortnight.

“We’re trending certainly in the right direction … very good news,” Voss said on Thursday morning.

“They’re obviously really important players to us, having Elijah also coming into the team, what he’s been able to do over the pre-season has been particularly impressive.

“All we asked from him was to be able to come in and put his head down, work really hard and earn the respect from the workrate he brings and the effort he brings.

“He’s shown all those things from the very first day.

“His pre-season has been as good as anyone at the club – probably in the top three.”

Voss gave no guarantee about when Walsh would be back, but was pleased with his progress.

“There’s been an exhorbitant amount of speculation around him, but we’ve stayed pretty present to where he’s at,” he said.

“He’s progressed well. If he’s able to complete his next couple of weeks (training), he’ll be available.

“He’s stepping through the gears pretty well.”

Carlton’s “round zero” trip to Brisbane earned them the week off and Voss went to watch Fremantle’s comeback win over North.

“It’s been a great couple of weeks. We thought it’s probably not necessarily the ideal opportunity, to have a bye, but what it’s afforded us is to take a step back, look at the competition,” he said.

“It’s good to be able to see what those games have looked like.

“They (Kangaroos) are extremely dangerous. I don’t think they could have been more impressive in that first half.

“We’re aware of what’s coming, so it’s up to us.”

On Thursday, the Blues welcomed patients and staff from the Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital ahead of the annual Good Friday appeal.

“We try to find ways where we can contribute and put smiles on the faces of people who might be struggling a little bit,” Voss said.

AAP

Indigenous AFL great Eddie Betts has shared horrific footage to social media of four children being racially abused while playing basketball in their own yard.

Betts posted CCTV video on Instagram late on Thursday of a white car slowly driving along a road in front of the home while four children play basketball inside the fence.

AFL legend Eddie Betts has shared a confronting video of a person inside a passing car repeatedly yelling out racial slurs towards his children and their friends.

A male voice can be heard repeatedly yelling the N-word from the slowly moving car.

Betts posted the video along with a plea to end discrimination against Indigenous Australians.

“Aboriginal kids deserve to be able to play safely, free from racism and abuse over the fence,” he wrote.

“We are not even safe in our own homes. If you know who this is please let them know that I’m open to having a chat about how much this hurts our kids.”

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G’day everyone and welcome to today’s AFL live blog as North Melbourne and Carlton square off in another Good Friday clash at Marvel Stadium.

This has become a fun afternoon on the football calendar and while Carlton starts as favourites, the Roos have come up with some impressive passages of play as young guns like Harry Sheezel and Colby McKercher build their careers.

First bounce is 4.20pm AEDT. Please enjoy the hours to come.