AFL 2024 round 10 LIVE updates: Cats with late change as Suns clash kicks off on Larrakia country

It’s looking like a big night for Jack Lukosius, who has just slotted through his third goal in this opening quarter.

It came from another set shot after a contested mark. After his assist for Sam Day’s goal, Lukosius has been involved in all four of the Suns’ goals so far.

Gold Coast by 8.

Late inclusion Zach Tuohy gave the Cats their first lead of the night – ever so briefly.

The Irishman had a give and go with Tanner Bruhn down the ground, after intercepting a Suns kick, and then ran the ball to within range, where he slotted it through the big sticks.

So, another goal from opposition turnover.

Two minutes, Sam Day had a perfect finish from a set shot to close back the margin.

Gold Coast by 2.

We’re only eight minutes into the match and Jack Lukosius already has two goals to his name. He took a contested mark from a centring kick deep in the forward 50, and slotted it through.

It’s a good start for him and for the Suns, who briefly took the lead by 7 before Gryan Miers closed the gap back to 1.

Miers was crafty, who got the goal on the run. All majors have come from opposition turnovers so far.

Gold Coast by 1.

Jack Lukosius has kicked the opening goal of the game, but it came from an absolute clanger.

Toby Conway took a great contested mark in defence but turned it straight over in front of goals. A good learning moment for the young gun.

Moments later, Cat Tyson Stengle got the Cats’ first goal on the run to level up the score.

Scores level.

After a moving Welcome to Country, the first game of Sir Doug Nicholls round has kicked off on Larrakia land, up in Darwin.

Will Geelong be able to bounce back after two straight losses or will the hot conditions suit Gold Coast better?

We’re about to find out.

Fun fact: Geelong’s team for tonight’s match in Darwin will have 688 games less experience than the team that lost to Port Adelaide last Friday.

Ahead of the clash, the Cats made four changes at the selection table, Jeremy Cameron forced out with concussion, and veterans Tom Hawkins, Mitch Duncan and Rhys Stanley all listed as managed.

Then, Sam De Koning was a forced late out with a hamstring concern during the warm up, with Zach Tuohy rushed back in.

Last week’s game saw Hawkins draw level with Joel Selwood on 355 games – the club record at Kardinia Park. With 282 games to his name, Duncan is a realistic prospect of becoming the seventh 300-game player at Geelong. Another nine games this season will take him past Matthew Scarlett, Peter Riccardi and Darren Milburn.

Stanley’s career has spanned 203 games at St Kilda and Geelong, while Cameron has played 239 in a career that started at Greater Western Sydney.

That adds up to 1079 games of experience going out of the Cats team, while the inclusions – ruckman Toby Conway (three), key forward Shannon Neale (six), and midfielders Tanner Bruhn (56) and Jack Bowes (106) – inject 171 games of experience back into the line-up, which left this week’s Cats team 908 games shy of last week’s.

However, Tuohy’s inclusion adds 272 games of experience back in, with De Koning’s 52 then subtracted.

So, overall, the Cats lose 688 games of experience.

Fans are filling TIO Stadium up in Darwin on Larrakia country for tonight’s clash between Geelong and Gold Coast.

Gold Coast have also gone down the player management path, resting co-captain Jarrod Witts, Nick Holman, Jed Walter and Jake Rogers.

Veteran midfielder David Swallow and Brayden Fiorini return after a week off, with Sam Day and young ruckman Ned Moyle also recalled.

The Suns have spent the week in Darwin preparing for the Geelong clash after thrashing North Melbourne at TIO Stadium last week.

It was Gold Coast’s fifth game in two years at a venue renowned for its slippery conditions, and wingman Sam Clohesy said that experience would benefit his side.

“It’s definitely an advantage … just being able to run out a full game in this heat,” Clohesy said.

“It’s nothing like playing down in Melbourne or, really, playing on the Gold Coast.

“I think we’re going to use it as an edge against them.”

AAP

Tonight’s subs:

• Alex Davies for Gold Coast
• Jhye Clark for Geelong