DUNSTALL IN HOSPITAL AFTER HEAVY KNOCK

Dunstall was admitted to the Alfred Hospital with a head injury after falling heavily on an opponent's boot.

An early diagnosis by a club doctor was that Dunstan had a suspected fractured skull from an internal break within his forehead.

A hospital spokesman said that the champion player's injury was serious.

The Sydney Swans must beat Richmond at the MCG today in Channel 7's match of the day to stay within sight of the final five.

In upset results in the competition yesterday, Essendon knocked St Kilda from the five when the Bombers won a magnificent match 18.16 (124) to the Saints' 17.11 (113) at Windy Hill.

Collingwood captured St Kilda's fifth place with a percentage-building, 80-point win over North Melbourne - 26.20 (176) to 14.12 (96).

Carlton chalked up their fourth win in a row and were left four points outside the five after tossing Fitzroy 18.15 (123) to 11.16 (82).

Melbourne's top grip on the ladder was loosened by an unbelievable loss to reigning premiers Hawthorn.

The Melbourne side was summoned to a 7 am training session today after going down to the Hawks.

The West Coast Eagles could bring a new era to AFL football if they beat Geelong at Subiaco Oval in Perth today and take over No 1 position on the ladder.

The Eagles will unseat Melbourne from top spot if the Perth-based club can sustain its unbeaten run at home this season.

Yesterday's AFL matches were marred by serious injuries and a string of reports which will crowd the waiting room of the tribunal when it meets tomorrow night.

Dunstall is the second AFL top goalkicker to face a long absence from AFL matches.

Last week St Kilda's Tony Lockett left the ground with a knee injury which will sideline him for at least 10 matches.

The Hawks' other star forward, Dermott Brereton, was not only taken from the ground with a leg injury but was booked by umpires on a rough play charge

Another report with serious repercussions was the booking of Carlton's David Rhys-Jones on a striking charge.

He also was admitted to the Blues' casualty area with a knee injury.

Rhys-Jones' report is complicated by a suspended sentence which will incur further match penalties if he is found guilty.

North Melbourne's John Longmire, who starred for NSW in the State of Origin match at the SCG on Tuesday night with eight goals, booted four yesterday in his AFL club's losing score against Collingwood.