AFL LIVE: Bulldogs, Swans face off at Marvel Stadium. AFL mourns ...

We don’t want to jump the gun with Aaron Naughton, who has gone off the field with what looks to be a serious knee injury.

Whether it’s the dreaded ACL, we do not know yet. Hopefully, it’s not.

Even if it’s on the lower end, and he misses a few weeks, it leaves the Dogs with a massive hole in their forward line.

Does it give maligned big man Rory Lobb another crack at the top level, or will Luke Beveridge take the opportunity to pick a smaller forward line that is better placed to lay pressure?

Aaron Naughton is attended by club staff after appearing to injure his knee.Credit: Getty Images

Naughton sent shockwaves through the Bulldogs’ camp early in the second term when he was pictured on the ground clutching his right knee.

He was brought down in a Lewis Melican tackle that twisted his leg on the way down.

In an act of good sportsmanship, Melican showed his concern by urgently waving to medical staff to come on.

Naughton recently signed an eight-year extension to his Bulldogs’ contract that will take him through to the end of the 2032 season.

From a short-term perspective, the Dogs are now down two to just three fit men on the bench. They have already activated their sub, Ryley Sanders, who came on for Anthony Scott. Scott came off after a head clash with Harry Cunningham as the pair contested a ground ball.

If the Dogs lose tonight they may well rue the last 10 minutes when they have had the game played predominantly in their forward half but cannot find a way to goal.

They wasted a golden opportunity through Bailey Dale, who burst clear to about 30 out with a clear shot at goal but pulled it to the left.

The Swans then took it down the other end where Errol Gulden converted clinically from 40 out. Of course he did. He’s a phenomenal young footballer.

The Swans lead by nine points.

The Bulldogs are holding on to a slender lead after both sides kicked second-quarter goals.

The irrepressible Tom Papley opened the term with a goal for the Swans, but the Bulldogs were able to answer back through Rhylee West.

Rhylee West has been busy in attack for the Bulldogs.Credit: Getty Images

Both defences have been able to clamp down on the scoring after a hectic opening quarter.

There have been just two goals kicked in the second quarter. But the Doggies are suffering from inaccuracy, booting 5.7 to the Swans’ 5.3.

The Bulldogs lead by four points, eight minutes remaining in this term.

We don’t want to jump the gun with Aaron Naughton, who has gone off the field with what looks to be a serious knee injury.

Whether it’s the dreaded ACL, we do not know yet. Hopefully, it’s not.

Even if it’s on the lower end, and he misses a few weeks, it leaves the Dogs with a massive hole in their forward line.

Does it give maligned big man Rory Lobb another crack at the top level, or will Luke Beveridge take the opportunity to pick a smaller forward line that is better placed to lay pressure?

Aaron Naughton is attended by club staff after appearing to injure his knee.Credit: Getty Images

Naughton sent shockwaves through the Bulldogs’ camp early in the second term when he was pictured on the ground clutching his right knee.

He was brought down in a Lewis Melican tackle that twisted his leg on the way down.

In an act of good sportsmanship, Melican showed his concern by urgently waving to medical staff to come on.

Naughton recently signed an eight-year extension to his Bulldogs’ contract that will take him through to the end of the 2032 season.

From a short-term perspective, the Dogs are now down two to just three fit men on the bench. They have already activated their sub, Ryley Sanders, who came on for Anthony Scott. Scott came off after a head clash with Harry Cunningham as the pair contested a ground ball.

QT: We look to have a high-quality and entertaining game tonight. The Dogs started quickly and were able to come back as well once the Swans woke up from their early slumber.

Ed Richards has been the best player afield after an electric first term with 11 possessions.

His ability to get himself into space from stoppage to get onto his laser-like left foot is a huge asset for the Dogs. Adam Treloar has also caused the Swans midfield trouble.

The margin is only two points but the key stats are in the Dogs’ favour. They lead contested possessions 24-15, are up 12-7 in clearances, which explains why they’ve also had 16 entries inside 50 to the Swans’ 10.

The Swans’ efficiency is keeping them in the game. The Dogs have not been able to dull the Swans’ rebound off half-back, often kicking into a vacant forward line.

Isaac Heeney has had seven touches but Chad Warner, so good last week, has had only three disposals, though one was a goal. The positive for the Swans is they are very much in the game on the scoreboard even though they have not played well.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan kicks truly.Credit: Getty Images

We’ve had four lead changes in the first quarter, and the Bulldogs will finish the first term two points in front.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan kicked the Doggies’ fourth inside the final minute.

Two pieces of poor discipline from both sides cost them goals. First, Brodie Grundy got into Tim English, and then Marcus Bontempelli, of all people, knocked the ball out of Joel Amartey’s hands, taking the Swans forward to the goal square.