Geelong will be without their two top forwards for their Darwin AFL match against Gold Coast after Jeremy Cameron was diagnosed with delayed concussion.

Tom Hawkins will also be rested for next Thursday’s match.

Cameron’s head hit the ground after a marking contest in the final term of Friday night’s home loss to Port Adelaide.

The Cats have given a detailed explanation of why Cameron played out the game, saying he showed no immediate symptoms.

“After further review of the video footage, and in consultation with the spotters in the ARC (AFL Review Centre), it was decided there was no criteria to remove Cameron immediately from the field for further assessment,” the Cats said in a statement on Saturday.

The player also passed a post-game assessment, but has entered the AFL concussion protocols after another test on Saturday.

“Cameron was monitored and assessed again on Saturday morning, where he reported some concussive symptoms on repeat SCAT6 (assessment) and a diagnosis of delayed concussion was made,” the club said.

In a statement released to Fox Footy, the AFL confirmed they were satisfied with the Cats’ handling of the situation.

“AFL medical personnel have reviewed the management of Jeremy Cameron’s head/ground impact in the last quarter of the match last night and have discussed the matter with Geelong’s doctors earlier this morning and are comfortable that he was managed consistent with the AFL Concussion Guidelines,” the statement reads.

“Following the impact, Geelong’s doctors conducted a HIA on ground (including video review and clinical assessment of the player) which did not identify any immediate need to remove the player from the field for a SCAT-6.  However, they continued to monitor the player for the remainder of the match and conducted a SCAT6 after the match which did not identify any signs of concussion.

“Please also note that the medical spotters in the ARC alerted the Geelong doctors to Cameron’s head/ground impact shortly after the incident, however in absence of “probable motor incoordination or no protective action” immediate removal of the player for a SCAT was not mandated.

“As is standard protocol in such a situation, Geelong’s doctors continued to monitor the player today for any delayed symptoms which have now been identified on repeat assessment including a SCAT6.”

Geelong coach Chris Scott said he was “confused” by criticism of Hawkins after confirming the record-breaking veteran will sit out the Darwin trip.

Hawkins ended his four-match goal drought with one major in the Cats’ five-point loss to Port.

But the 35-year-old was limited to just seven disposals by former teammate Esava Ratugolea in another quiet display that is likely to intensify the spotlight on his form.

Scott held back from launching a full-scale defence of Hawkins but stuck up for the three-time premiership forward.

“Where I want to respond a little bit is, ‘Are you saying Tom Hawkins has had a few quiet weeks out of 355 games so there’s a huge problem when we’re 7-1?’,” Scott said.

“I guess the only kind of negative emotion that I feel is a bit of confusion.

“It’s a bit like the Tom Stewart thing. If you want to be the best player in the comp, the expectations around your performance are going to be higher than everyone else.

“So you take the good with the bad.”

Hawkins, who has kicked 791 goals over a career spanning 18 seasons, continues to attract some of the competition’s best defenders.

“He’s topical. He’s been such a good player and he’s still such an important player for us,” Scott said.

“It’s not the only test but if you survey our opponents and ask, ‘Do you want him to play or not?’, I’m assuming they would say not. That’s still the way I look at it.

“He had some really nice moments as the game went on as well, but we didn’t get the ball forward much early on.”

Scott said the club had planned for Hawkins to be rested in round 10, skipping a Gold Coast clash that comes on a six-day break and includes travel.

It will allow Hawkins to surpass long-time teammate Joel Selwood’s record for most games played for the Cats – currently 355 – when they host Greaterr Western Sydney at GMHBA Stadium in round 11.