AFL LIVE: Crows lose the plot, cough up three 50m penalties in stunning start against Lions

Fremantle defender Heath Chapman will be able to take his place in the club’s preliminary final in Sydney this coming weekend after avoiding a ban from the AFL match review after its findings were released on Saturday evening.

Chapman was cited for rough conduct after he took out Geelong forward Ollie Henry in a marking contest in the third quarter of Friday night’s semi-final.

The incident was graded as careless conduct, low impact and body contact. He can accept an early plea and pay a $1500 fine; otherwise the sanction is $2500.

The teams will line up as named.

The Brisbane Lions’ three-peat efforts will go on the line at the Gabba and coach Chris Fagan has backed Hugh McCluggage to have an impact despite an injury-hit season.

The two-time defending AFL premiers were walloped by and under-manned Sydney at the SCG, setting up a sudden death semi-final against Adelaide on Saturday.

McCluggage, returning from a three-week absence due to a calf injury, was one of many to have their colours lowered against the Swans.

An All-Australian last season, the co-captain has played just 14 games - winning seven - in this campaign.

Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters has nominated the Western Bulldogs as his preferred destination, with the Dogs beating Geelong for his services provided they can secure him via free agency or a trade.

The Power confirmed that the club had been notified by Butters of his club of choice. Assuming they can navigate a trade or land the 26-year-old champion via free agency, the arrival of Butters will be a coup for the Bulldogs, regarded as one of Victoria’s “smaller” clubs.

The prospect of Butters heading to Whitten Oval is against the trend of in-demand free agents ordinarily joining a leading Victorian club, such as when former Sun Tom Lynch joined Richmond in their premiership era.

Port Adelaide will have to decide whether to match the massive, nine-year offer to Butters or force a trade. If they choose not to match, they will receive pick No.5 in the national draft – the selection after Port’s first pick.

Their early draft choices will be needed to match the likely bid at pick No.1 for their academy gun Dougie Cochrane.

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G’day everyone. I’m Roy Ward and welcome to our AFL live blog as Brisbane Lions and Adelaide Crows play for the fourth and final spot in the preliminary finals.