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Long, Curtis trade goals
Paul Curtis of the Roos.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Two of the league’s impressive small forwards have traded goals with Suns star Ben Long snapping a goal only to see it matches minutes later by Roos star Paul Curtis.
For mine, Long is one of the elite pressure forwards in the AFL and is now just as potent in front of goal as he is with a tackle while Curtis is as cunning a goal scorer as you will find.
As good as they both are, the Suns have conjured another goal finding Ben King complete free in the goal square and he booted the ball back to Adelaide.
Suns 31, Roos 22 with six mins to go in Q1.
Darling responds for Roos
Roos veteran Jack Darling has shown his experience dusting forward after taking the centre bounce ruck contest and Ethan Read couldn’t keep with him.
He ran into an open goal.
This keeps North close.
Suns 19, Roos 15 with 11 mins to go in Q1.
King on the board
The Suns are playing a pretty direct style as they kick into the wind in this first term.
They are pushing it forward and it is working so far, as Ben King just earned a free kick and booted his first goal.
Suns 18, Roos 9 with 12 mins to go in Q1.
Suns in command
Will Graham has added to the lead for the Suns, who have been more clinical than the Roos so far.
Fox Footy commentator Jack Riewoldt predicted the Suns, coached by his former mentor Damien Hardwick, will win by 50 points.
Roos skipper Jy Simpkin has responded with a goal for his side. It looks like the Roos are starting to find their feet. They also have the breeze, which Fox Footy’s Brad Johnson says is worth “two to three goals”.
Suns 12, Roos 9 with 13 mins to go in Q1.
North Melbourne’s Jy Simpkin tackles Bailey Humphrey of the Suns.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Suns are on the board
Ben Ainsworth has bobbed up and snapped the first goal after some typically quick ball movement, with Matt Rowell launching a long kick and Ainsworth reading it perfectly off the pack.
Suns 6, Roos 1 with 19 mins to go in Q1.
Hot conditions in Lyndoch
The Barossa Valley has turned on the sunshine for today’s AFL clash, perhaps too much sun as the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a top of 33 degrees.
It is already 29 and very sunny. Both the Roos and Suns will have a tough day in the sun to come.
It’s game on in Lyndoch.
Fans prepare for Roos v Suns.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Fans cool off in Lyndoch, South Australia as the AFL comes to the Barossa Valley.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Acres out for Blues
The Blues have lost a key ball-mover in Blake Acres, who is a late omission for the clash with West Coast Eagles in Adelaide.
Cooper Lord comes into the side and will be the sub. West Coast have no late changes, their sub is Hamish Davis.
Where is your team on the form ladder?
Subs named for Roos v Suns
No late changes for the Roos and Suns in the Barossa Valley.
Good afternoon
Hello and welcome to our live blog. I’m Roy Ward and please enjoy the four games to come today.
First bounce for Roos v Suns is 12.35pm AEST, followed by Carlton v West Coast at 1.20pm AEST.
