AFL 2024 round five LIVE updates: McKay, Walker fire early as Crows, Blues trade goals; injury carnage as Giants hold off Saints

Orazio Fantasia is slowly but surely finding a place in this Carlton forward line and he just pulled in a mark running away from goal and then converted his snap from a tight angle.

Adelaide’s Josh Rachele kicked a goal early in the second term.

Blues 37, Crows 30 with 15 mins to go in Q2.

Carlton’s Ben McKay and Adelaide’s Taylor Walker looking dangerous for their respective teams with two goals each in a tight opening quarter.

The Crows’ ball movement is better than it has been in the opening four games with six marks inside 50 showing they are finding space for their forwards to lead into and grab the ball.

However, the Blues steadied late in the quarter to kick the final four goals with Matthew Cottrell, as is his habit, giving the Blues the lead before Charlie Curnow kicked a goal after the siren.

McKay is a different player so far this season, having kicked 13.3 from set shots.

Sam Walsh has had seven touches as he returns from a back injury with the gun midfielder being rotated on and off the bench regularly.

Adelaide defender Mark Keane had held Charlie Curnow for almost the whole first quarter but the star forward found room just before the siren to pull in a mark and convert after the bell to extend the lead for the Blues.

The Crows are up for it, Taylor Walker is too. But the Blues and their forward tandem of Harry McKay and Curnow finished the term strongly.

Last week’s hero, Matt Cottrell, has earned a free kick and booted his first goal of the day.

The pressure forward who enjoys his low-key role in the side has again shown his value and given his side the lead.

Blues 25, Crows 24 with two mins to go in Q1.

Marc Pittonet’s late addition was a surprise today but the big man has bobbed up to grab the ball from the pack and snap a goal.

His shot beat the finger tips of about three Crows before sailing in.

Crows 24, Blues 19 with five mins to go in Q1.

All eyes were on McKay early but Walker has quickly emerged as the hottest forward in this game at the moment.

He just took another mark and kicked the goal.

The Crows are up for this.

Crows 24, Blues 13 with five mins to go in Q1.

Taylor Walker booted a trademark set shot from outside 50m and after several minutes of withstanding attacks from the Blues, the Crows pushed forward and Fogarty found Keays who booted his second from close range.

The Blues can’t afford to take the Crows too easily.

Crows 18, Blues 13 with eight mins to go in Q1.

Ollie Hollands found McKay in a contest again and the big man pulled in another mark and kicked the goal.

He has two goals already.

Blues 13, Crows 6 with 15 mins to go in Q1.

It’s been an attacking start as Ben Keays kicked the opening goal for Adelaide.

But moments later the Blues pushed forward and it ended with Harry McKay pulling in a mark and kicking his first goal of the day.

Crows defender Jordan Butts has asked his other defenders to help out in the contests. Not sure it will help but they will need to do something to keep McKay in check.

Blues 7, Crows 6 with 16 mins to go in Q1.