AFL 2024 round four LIVE updates: Lions off to a flyer in high stakes clash; Pickett suspended again after another high hit

Kai Lohmann is already playing a breakout game here for the Brisbane Lions. Pick number 20 from the 2021 draft, Lohmann has been electric, kicking a couple of goals and using his speed to get high up the ground for his 10 possessions.

He’s also shown a good pair of hands overhead.

But oh my, North Melbourne. Another big blowout is beckoning here, and this club, like West Coast, is running out of excuses to be so bad for so long.

There’s serious talent there, but not a lot of heart, or respect being shown to the opposition. Neale has 21 possessions now.

Lions 69, Roos 19 with two mins to go in Q2.

Hugh Greenwood has acted quickest to win the footy, jump up and snap the goal.

He was battling Harris Andrews but did well enough to win the contest and kick it before anyone else could react.

Lions 66, Roos 19 with eight mins to go in Q2.

Eric Hipwood has had a tough start to 2024 but he has taken a strong contested mark and then converted his shot for goal, even if it wasn’t the prettiest kick when it left his boot.

Hipwood has kicked two goals and the Lions are bolting away.

Lions 60, Roos 12 with 10 mins to go in Q2.

Neale and the Lions midfield are dominating and their constant kicks forward are overwhelming the North defence.

Lohmann has just run onto a loose ball and kicked his second goal.

It’s looking ominous.

Lions 52, Roos 12 with 16 mins to go in Q2.

This already looks like being another long afternoon for the Kangas.

All the Lions forwards are getting a look at it — Daniher (2.1), Hipwood (1.2), Linc McCarthy, Cameron, Kai Lohmann.

But it really starts in the centre. Lachie Neale is killing them with 14 possessions and three clearances for the quarter.

Around the ground, clearances are actually pretty even, 14—13 the Lions’ way. But it’s 5-1 from the centre square and Neale’s the driver.

The Lions have been too polished and had too many weapons for North’s defence in this opening term.

This flurry of goals will no doubt lift the confidence and spirits of the Lions.

Lohmann had a kick from 55m out after the siren but his shot went wide to the left.

Mercurial forward Kysaiah Pickett will miss Melbourne’s Thursday night clash against Brisbane at the MCG after being hit with a one-match ban for a high bump on Adelaide’s Jake Soligo.

It is the third time in 26 games that Pickett has been suspended for leaving the ground and making contact with an opponent’s head.

Match review officer Michael Christian graded the second-quarter clash as careless, high and medium impact.

The high bump and ensuing suspension have become a worrying trend for the dynamic small forward across the past year.

He copped two games for taking Western Bulldogs superstar Bailey Smith high in last year’s opening round then received two weeks for a high hit on Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps in the finals.

Pickett initially left the ground to smother Soligo’s attempted handball but as he came down, he tucked his arm in on the follow-through and collected the young Crow’s head with his shoulder.

Roos ruckman Tristan Xerri is an impressive talent and he just showed why dragging down Lachie Neale in a tackle in the forward line and then going back and kicking the goal from the free kick.

He was very happy with that but his goal was matched from the centre bounce as the Lions won the footy and booted it long to Kai Lohmann who booted the goal.

Lions 26, Roos 12 with six mins to go in Q1.

Daniher scored his first goal from the square and has booted his second goal from the 50m arc.

The goal umpire didn’t move as Daniher clearly found angle to goal.

Lions 20, Roos 6 with 9 mins to go in Q1.