Key posts
Pies enjoy lead at first change
The Magpies are dominating overall clearances and moving the ball well by hand, giving the Crows issues at the first break. The Pies lead by seven points.
Bobby ‘Dazzler’
Wow, that was an exciting dash from Bobby Hill, who runs down a dangerous punch goal-side from Crows’ defender Isaac Cumming and is airborne while kicking through a goal. The Magpies have a seven-point lead. There are some worrying signs for the Crows here, the Pies having lifted in the past five minutes. Josh Daicos has been busy pumping the ball forward.
Membrey makes his mark
Bobby Hill scoops up a loose ball at half-forward, and drives the ball long to full-forward, where Tim Membrey outbodies his opponent and marks. The former Saint then converts the early shot. The Magpies have their third goal of the day.
Meanwhile, Craig McRae continues to send bodies through the midfield, with Nick Daicos playing predominantly as a forward.
Should the Magpies tag Dawson?
Jordan Dawson has been influential early, and now finds Taylor Walker on the lead about 35m from goal. Walker converts the Crows’ third of the afternoon. Dawson was tagged hard by the Power last week, but has been allowed to roam free today. That’s, surely, a worry for the Magpies. Perhaps it’s time to send Scott Pendlebury to him.
Early strike: Dan Houston booted the Magpies’ opening goal.Credit: Getty Images
Crows hit back
The Crows are one of the best teams at scoring from half-back thrusts, and reinforced why with a fine piece of play down the wing which led to a centering ball to Josh Rachele, who marks and converts the set shot. This is a high-quality contest.
Magpies have their second goal
The Crows are trying to stop the Magpies’ drive but, on this occasion, they were unable to do so, the Magpies getting the ball forward before Will Hoskin-Elliott accepts a fine handball from Jack Crisp and converts a lovely snap. The Pies have their second.
Crows take flight
Izak Rankine shows why he is of the stars of the competition, intercepting a handball from Ed Allan, before storming inside 50 and drilling a fine goal. That’s the steadier the Crows needed.
Key match ups
The Pies are in good touch, and could have had their second goal had Jamie Elliott snapped successfully from the left pocket. His mark came after a coast-to-coast play and fine pass from Bobby Hill. At the other end of the ground, Jeremy Howe has the job on Taylor Walker, Billy Frampton has gone to Riley Thilthorpe, while stand-in skipper Brayden Maynard has the job on Darcy Fogarty.
Pies strike first
Dan Houston has marked just outside 50m and drills a long bomb, giving the Magpies their first goal of the afternoon.
We’re underway at the MCG
There is some interesting action going on with Nick Daicos. The brilliant playmaker started in the centre square on James Peatling, but Peatling then handed over to Alex Neal-Bulleen, who began at half-forward. Daicos is now playing at half-forward and has Mitchell Hinge as his opponent. One to watch.
