AFL 2024 round eight LIVE updates: Dees, Cats locked in low-scoring struggle; Bombers have edge over Eagles; fixture quirk begs questions

In a season where the just-introduced early season bye meant it was hard to get a read on the true standings until round seven, there remains another quirk impacting ladder positions – the on-field health of North Melbourne and Hawthorn.

So uncompetitive have the Kangaroos and Hawks been to this point that it almost feels as if it’s a 16-team competition, for they had had just one combined win heading into round eight.

The pain continued for the winless Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, when their off-broadway twilight clash against St Kilda ended in a 38-point loss.

The Saints desperately needed to win, snapping a three-game skid, leaving them with a 3-5 win-loss record.

And, just as it happens, they have Hawthorn in Launceston next Saturday.

Going on current form, they will win, and take their record to 4-5, and remain firmly in the hunt for finals.

But what will these victories really mean? Yes, the Saints can only beat who is in front of them.

But it could be argued this two-game burst is another kink in the system which doesn’t provide clarity on where they really sit. That will become clearer for the Saints when they host Fremantle in round 10 and face Melbourne a week later.

Meanwhile, Ross Lyon will continue to scheme and plot, the Saints on Saturday impressing with their strong and creative back line, namely rebounding defenders Jack Sinclair and the emerging Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, and intense forward-half pressure, resulting in a rash of turnovers by the Kangaroos, and goals for the Saints.

They finished with their highest score of the season (103 points).

There is much to like about North’s new generation, as respected former list manager Chris Pelchen told this masthead a fortnight ago.

Harry Sheezel began in the midfield, and was shown great respect by Lyon who sent his No.1 tagger Marcus Windhager to the dynamic ball user.

Colby McKercher was also busy.George Wardlaw had a fine running goal in the first term, and his willingness to persist for a loose ball is a pleasure to watch.

However, his front on bump on Darcy Wilson midway through the final term, when both men were chasing a loose ball, will be scrutinised by the match review officer.

A poor second quarter from the Eagles, with lapses of discipline and critical turnovers in defence costing them dearly.

Essendon take a 22 point lead into the half-time break.

After an even first term statistically, the Bombers have worked harder inside and outside the contest to break the game open.

Darcy Parish has 18 touches, Nic Martin 17, Zach Merrett 16 and Sam Durham 14.

The ball has spent a lot more time in Essendon’s half, too, with 30 inside 50s to 19 so far.

The Cats have hit the front just before the last change and the game seems to be much more at their tempo.

But the Demons will come out much more focused in the final term. It should be a cracking finish.

Jhye Clark has kicked his first goal in the AFL and his long shot bounced in thanks to a shepherd from Mark Blicavs in the goal square.

The Cats loved that and it has put them in front. He held his arm in the sky in celebration.

Cats 45, Dees 44 with a minute to go in Q3.

Melbourne’s finishing must be so frustrating for their supporters.

For such a good side, they lack class in the final third.

Alex Neal-Bullen had the rare luxury of running in a straight line to goal with no defender in the way but he pulled his kick to the left.

It will help them on the ‘Expected Scores’ contest but not in the game that matters.

That shoulder problem for Bruhn has seen him subbed out.

The Cats are within a goal after Ollie Henry kicked his second goal.

The pace of this game really suits Geelong but the Demons are finding their avenues to attack now as well.

Dees 44, Cats 39 with five mins to go in Q3.

The Cats have been denied what would have been back-to-back goals.

Max Holmes appeared to have drained a running shot from 50 out but it was overturned on review.

This is how the review system should work.

If the umpire think it’s a goal, pay it, knowing that it will be reviewed anyway.

We had 14 behinds in a row, now we’ve had four goals in a row – and they haven’t been easy ones as well.

This game has opened up with more free-flowing passages of play. This faster pace suits the Cats.

Dees 42, Cats 33 with seven mins to go in Q3.

Geelong speedster Max Holmes looked to have kicked a brilliant running goal but with the ball almost back to the middle, the video review found Steven May, who had protested when the goal was originally called, had touched the ball before it crossed the line.

No goal.