Zak Butters will have ankle surgery within days after scans confirmed a high grade syndesmosis injury, and Geelong's Jeremy Cameron spent Saturday night in a Sydney hospital with a suspected broken collarbone. Round 18 was expensive for both clubs.

Butters, Port Adelaide's acting captain, went down late in the third quarter against St Kilda on Saturday in a marking contest with Max Hall. The club said scans cleared him of a leg fracture but confirmed the syndesmosis damage, and that he will go under the knife in the coming days. Port has not ruled him out for the rest of the season. St Kilda won the game 13.9 (87) to 10.13 (73) at Marvel Stadium.

Cameron was hurt in the last quarter of Geelong's loss to Greater Western Sydney at ENGIE Stadium, in a collision with Clayton Oliver. He was taken to hospital in Sydney and held overnight alongside Tanner Bruhn, who hurt his neck, and Jack Henry, who was struck in the throat. Geelong coach Chris Scott said the club would not catastrophise the injuries and would wait for the diagnoses. The Giants won 12.14 (86) to 11.7 (73), and Geelong slipped to 9-8.

Hawthorn produced the round's most one-sided result. The Hawks held Carlton to six goals at the MCG in front of 70,314 and won 15.13 (103) to 6.3 (39).

Fremantle stayed clear on top. The Dockers beat Sydney 15.21 (111) to 10.13 (73) at Optus Stadium on Thursday night in front of 55,966 and are 15-2. Sydney is 13-4.

Max Gawn played his 264th game for Melbourne on Sunday, equalling Jim Stynes' club record, as the Demons beat Richmond 16.15 (111) to 9.11 (65) at the MCG. Jacob van Rooyen kicked six. Melbourne is 11-6.

Adelaide beat Gold Coast 19.14 (128) to 7.7 (49) at Adelaide Oval, with Taylor Walker kicking five to take his career tally to 699. Brisbane beat Essendon 22.17 (149) to 8.11 (59) at the Gabba. Collingwood held off North Melbourne by four points at Marvel Stadium, 13.11 (89) to 12.13 (85). The Western Bulldogs beat West Coast 13.8 (86) to 9.16 (70) to move to 10-7 and seventh.

Port Adelaide will update on Butters after the surgery. Geelong had not confirmed a diagnosis for Cameron as of Monday morning.