Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Blues to monitor AFL ruckman Kreuzer

Carlton ruckman Matthew Kreuzer will undergo tests after suffering an elevated heart rate during the Blues' AFL loss to St Kilda.

Kreuzer
Carlton's Matthew Kreuzer is the latest AFL player to be diagnosed with a heart irregularity. (AAP)

Carlton will monitor ruckman Matthew Kreuzer following their loss to St Kilda after he became the latest AFL player to suffer a heart irregularity.

Kreuzer left the ground during the first quarter of Friday night's game at Etihad Stadium and played no further part as the Saints cruised to a 16.20 (116) to 7.10 (52) victory.

It was initially thought Kreuzer had hurt himself in a tackle but the Blues later revealed he had suffered shortness of breath and an elevated heart rate.

It comes a week after young defender Caleb Marchbank was taken from the ground during Carlton's loss to Brisbane and sent to hospital after also suffering an elevated heart rate.

Marchbank was cleared by a cardiologist and lined up for the Blues against the Saints.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Kreuzer did not require hospitalisation but will also undergo tests during the week.

"He had shortness of breath and quite randomly, you wouldn't believe it, an elevated heart rate," coach Brendon Bolton said.

"He's okay now. It settled down pretty quickly but we weren't going to take any risks with that.

"We'll go through all the testing processes with a cardiologist like we did with Marchbank who was fine this week.

"It's quite a random thing, I haven't seen it and particularly haven't seen it two weeks in a row."

Kreuzer's absence forced Carlton to improvise with Charlie Curnow, Liam Jones and Harry McKay sharing ruck duties.

St Kilda defender Dylan Roberton continues to undergo tests for a heart condition after collapsing midway through the Saints' game against Geelong in round four.

Roberton has not played any football since the collapse and will miss the rest of the season, but he recently returned to the training track.

Collingwood rookie Kayle Kirby has also been ruled out for the season after he suffered an irregular heartbeat and tests revealed an underlying heart issue.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world