This has not been a pretty match to watch, but we at least we can say it’s a close one.
The Hawks take a one-point lead into the main break after a scrappy quarter in which the inaccurate Demons failed to make their ascendancy count on the scoreboard.
Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett is brought down in the goal square.Credit: Fox Footy
The Dees booted two goals five, but missed several simple shots.
Adding to their frustration, they were denied what would have been a certain goal when the umpires missed a clear trip on Kysaiah Pickett in the goal square.
The Dees, with Christian Petracca and Pickett both influential, have won clearance by six and contested ball by 20. Despite encouragement from the crowd, Clayton Oliver’s return has been a quiet one, limited to just six possessions.
He seems to be struggling with his run, though on the few times he’s got near the ball he’s found that extra ping in his legs.
The Hawks are not playing like a flag contender. They’re missing targets and are having trouble generating meaningful chains of possessions.
Their quarter was summed up by the goal they conceded near the siren when Jai Newcombe, with a teammate either side of him, lost track of a 20-metre chip kick over his shoulder and dropped a sitter. Harvey Langford cleaned up the spillage and curled a beauty. He looks a gem of a player.
The key for the Dees will be to maintain their dominance at the contest and improve their kicking. The Hawks need to get their hands dirty, otherwise this game will slip away from them.
The Hawks have activated a tactical sub at half-time, bringing on Bailey Macdonald for Henry Hustwaite.
