Key posts
What a photo ….
Goal: Hawthorn’s second
Dylan Moore on the board with time-on quickly approaching. That’s their second ….
Hawthorn 2.2 (14) lead Carlton 1.0 (6) after 17 minutes
The Hawks have turned up to play
They’re pretty well drilled, those Hawkers. An early take? It’s hard to deny that Hawthorn will be one of the teams setting the pace in 2025. They’ve got class on almost every line. Tonight Josh Ward and Cam McKenzie are getting busy and getting plenty of the ball. But it’s Patrick Cripps who is the top possession-winner (7)
TDK denied an early goal
Tom De Koning thought he had this goal after a roost out of the centre with less than two minutes on the clock …. but, alas, a free was paid on the goal-line.
This goal was denied …. a free kick was paid.Credit: Fox Footy
Some relief for the Blues ….
George Hewitt boots accurately. That will soothe their souls. Entertaining footy so far. One goal each. The MCG has drained beautifully after heaps of rain today.
Carlton 1.0 (6) level with Hawthorn 1.0 (6) after six minutes
Goal: Hawthorn’s rapid-fire start
With less than a minute on the board, Hawthorn’s Mabior Chol marks and boots truly.
The Blues are yet to touch the footy …..
Hawthorn 1.0 (6) lead Carlton 0.0 (0)
.… and less than a minute later, De Koning lets fly, the ball is about to go through the goals. But NO! The umpire pays a free. NO goal. More heartache for Carlton ….
We’re away at the MCG!
A crowd of about 70,000 fans is tipped for tonight.
Vote: Your thoughts
Sure, McKay is missing, but …
Archer suspension based on outcome: Clarko
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has indicated Jackson Archer’s suspension over the collision that knocked out Western Bulldogs defender Luke Cleary was based on outcome, rather than his actions alone.
Archer, the son of Kangaroos legend Glenn, will miss three games after unsuccessfully challenging his rough conduct ban at the tribunal.
Clarkson and Bulldogs counterpart Luke Beveridge said post-match on Saturday the incident, where Archer’s knee hit Cleary in the head, was an unfortunate collision and the Kangaroo didn’t deserve a suspension.
Jackson Archer makes strong contact with Bulldog Luke Cleary.Credit: Fox Footy
Both pointed out Cleary could have given away a free kick for going to ground and making contact with Archer’s legs.
The match review officer graded the incident as careless conduct, high contact and severe impact, while Cleary wasn’t cited.
“At the end of the day, there’s a duty of care of both players in that particular instance,” Clarkson said.
“So technically, you can probably say both players could have been reported for the same incident. But then it comes down to who got injured and what the outcome was.”
