AFL news 2025: Achilles tendon injury fears for Carlton Blues' Zac Williams after loss to Western Bulldogs
Carlton is reeling after crashing to an 0-3 start to the season and the Blues are facing the possibility of again losing big-money midfielder Zac Williams to injury.
The Blues led the Western Bulldogs at every change at Marvel Stadium on Friday night, including by 23 points at quarter-time and 18 points at half-time, but faded late to suffer an agonising eight-point defeat.
The Bulldogs didn't lead until the 12-minute mark of the final term, when Sam Darcy nailed a set shot to put the red, white and blue army in raptures.
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The Blues regained the ascendancy through a Brodie Kemp goal at the 20-minute mark, but unanswered goals to Aaron Naughton and James O'Donnell in the dying minutes dragged the Bulldogs to a thrilling 12.11 (83) to 11.9 (75) victory.
Carlton's eight-point defeat to the Bulldogs follows a shock 13-point loss to Richmond and a 20-point loss to Hawthorn.
Kemp bagged five goals and Charlie Curnow three but the Bulldogs had a more even spread of goal-kickers, while third-gamer Sam Davidson racked up a match-high 31 possessions.
A duel with arch rivals Collingwood at the MCG next Thursday night now awaits Carlton.
Carlton players trudge off after losing to the Western Bulldogs and falling to an 0-3 start to the season. Getty
Williams produced one of his top highlights as a Blue when he pounced on the footy at centre-half back in the first quarter, burst through the middle of the centre square and delivered a pinpoint kick to an unmarked Curnow, who proceeded to slot a set shot from about 45 metres out and directly in front.
But Williams was substituted out of the game with a left Achilles tendon issue late in the second quarter, having landed awkwardly while jumping for an attempted mark in a one-on-one contest with Bulldogs defender Harvey Gallagher.
Carlton said the 30-year-old was substituted out with Achilles soreness.
He had tallied eight touches prior to being replaced with defender Jordan Boyd.
Carlton midfielder Zac Williams dashing through the centre square to set up a goal in stunning fashion on Friday night. AFL Photos via Getty Images
During his time as a GWS Giant, Williams ruptured his left Achilles tendon during a training session in January 2018, which sidelined him until the club's elimination final against the Swans.
He suffered a similar injury at Carlton in 2022 when he tore his left calf, resulting in him missing 12 games.
He then missed the entirety of the 2023 season after suffering an ACL rupture late in the pre-season.
Williams crossed from GWS to Carlton following the 2020 season on a six-year deal reportedly worth $800,000 a year.
