Unbeaten Geelong will welcome back superstars Tom Hawkins and Patrick Dangerfield for their mouthwatering clash against the Lions in Brisbane on Saturday as a number of leading teams reel from a weekend plagued by injuries.

One of the most mystifying incidents of the weekend unfolded on Friday night when Western Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore collapsed late in the game against Essendon.

The 31-year-old midfielder will undergo a range of tests this week to determine what caused him to lose his balance.

He reported no concussion symptoms and was cleared to conduct a radio interview post game, but the Bulldogs decided on Saturday to take a cautious approach, ruling him out of Thursday’s match against St Kilda and putting him in the concussion protocols.

The Bulldogs made the decision independently of the AFL and are keen to rule out any other possibilities for his stumble before he returns to play.

St Kilda have headaches of their own ahead of the Marvel Stadium match, and will be sweating on the fitness of key forward Max King after he pulled up sore in their one-point loss to Greater Western Sydney.

Following initial concerns, King – who has endured numerous long-term injuries during his AFL career – has been cleared of major knee damage and remains a chance to play this week.

“Following scans this morning, Max King has been cleared of any structural damage to his knee,” the Saints said through a statement on Sunday.

“The key forward has some swelling and pain consistent with a contusion to the knee. We’re hoping Max will train this week and put his hand up for selection for Thursday night.”

Recruit Liam Henry, experienced midfielder Brad Crouch and utility Mason Wood remain on the sidelines for the Saints, who have two wins from five games.

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Carlton could head into their crucial clash with the Giants at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon without running defenders Adam Saad and Mitch McGovern, who were taken from the ground with hamstring concerns during the Blues’ two-point loss to Adelaide.

It is the start of a challenging month for the Blues who take, ahead of MCG games against Geelong, Collingwood and Melbourne.

The Giants also have injury worries. Sam Taylor will sit out the Carlton clash with concussion, while vice-captain Stephen Coniglio is expected to miss the next two games with an MCL injury.

Geelong rested Hawkins for Sunday’s clash against the Kangaroos, which turned out to be a prudent decision considering the Cats romped to a 75-point victory at GMHBA Stadium, with Jeremy Cameron booting six goals and Brad Close four.

Scott said Hawkins and captain Dangerfield would be back to tackle the Lions.

“We’ve got a plan with Tom that’s subject to change week to week,” Scott said after Sunday’s victory.

“The good news is he was available to play this week, and we think he’ll be better next week for missing. Dangerfield really was available this week and (Jake) Kolodjashnij the same.”

The Cats will be expecting a tougher challenge against a “really sharp” Brisbane after last year’s grand finalists turned a 0-3 start into a 2-3 ledger, following wins against North Melbourne and Melbourne.

“That was a very good performance at the MCG (against Melbourne),” Scott said.

“Brisbane don’t need my help, but if you lose your first three, it can seem a little bit worse than it is.

“It might be the possibility that they’ve just played three good teams that most of the competition would lose to if they’re a bit off. But it didn’t look that way to me on Thursday night, so we’ll be ready.”

North Melbourne’s Colby McKercher was taken to hospital for cautionary scans on Sunday after being hit in the ribs against Geelong, but escaped long-term damage.

On the tribunal front, Adelaide’s Matt Crouch was given a week for forceful front-on contact on Carlton’s Jack Carroll, which was graded carless conduct, medium impact and high contact. The Crows play the Bombers at home on Friday night.

Port Adelaide star Zak Butters was cleared for his bump on Fremantle’s Bailey Banfield late in their match on Saturday.