AFL 2024 round nine LIVE updates: Langford-inspired Bombers grab lead against Giants in tense clash; Hawks topple Saints in upset

HAWTHORN 8.10 (58) d ST KILDA 7.11 (53)

KEY POINTS

SAINTS FORWARD LINE SPUTTERS
On paper, St Kilda looked to have the big forwards capable of swaying the outcome of the game. In reality, Max King and Tim Membrey did not exert near enough influence in a low-scoring five-point loss. Despite fleeting glimpses that they would make an impact, they took seven marks and kicked three of the Saints’ seven goals between them. This against a team missing James Sicily. The game was played with a defensive mindset. It was a dour arm-wrestle, tailor-made for defenders. But these are also the occasions in which power forwards can and should stand up. Further compounding St Kilda’s scoring woes – they kicked three goals in the first term, one in the second, one in the third and two in the last – was the absence of lively small pair Jack Higgins and Dan Butler. In desperation, Ross Lyon threw Josh Battle forward at half-time. He managed to kick the first goal of the third quarter, and the first goal of the last quarter, but couldn’t add to the tally. In the last 30 seconds, King had a good jump at the ball ahead of two Hawthorn defenders in the forward pocket but could not bring the ball to ground. Had it stuck, he would have had a shot at goal to win the game.

EARLY ACCURACY PROVES THE DIFFERENCE
When opportunity came knocking, Hawthorn answered the door. An accurate patch of four straight goals during the first quarter – through Connor Macdonald, Nick Watson, Lloyd Meek and Dylan Moore – ultimately won them the game. At quarter-time they led by four points, having kicked 4.1 to the Saints 3.3 and they were not headed for the remainder of the match. In the second term, Dylan Moore scrambled through his second goal to make it 5.1, and then Jack Ginnivan took advantage of a 50m penalty to goal and make it 6.1. Ginnivan was busy and dangerous throughout the game. His goal came from an act of courage. He ran back with the flight of the ball, right arm outstretched and was crunched in the back by Liam Stocker. The Saints booted the ball away after the umpire had blown his whistle for a free kick, and Ginnivan was walked to the goal square. Good kicking is good football, and is so vital to the win-loss ledger. Consider this from other matches this round: Carlton kicked five straight in the first quarter of their one-point win over Melbourne, the Swans kicked 9.0 to half-time in their win over Fremantle, and Port Adelaide banged on 8.2 in the opening term of their one-goal victory over Geelong. Accuracy deserted the Hawks as the game unfolded, even the reliable Ginnivan missing a sitter from 30m directly in front. Hawthorn went from 6.1 to 8.10.

CONTESTED BEAST COMES TO THE FORE
In a game played between the arcs, Rowan Marshall stood tall. Lloyd Meek served it up to Marshall early, but the Saints ruckman became the game’s most dominant player. He amassed 23 contested possessions – a record for a St Kilda player. He had 28 disposals, and 38 hitouts. For Hawthorn, Jai Newcombe looked to return to close to his best form, racking up 31 possessions and working overtime at the contest. He seems to play better with Will Day in the team. Not that Day had a huge presence. The Saints have now lost four of their past five, while the Hawks have won three of their past four. Hawthorn have turned their Launceston home-away-from-home into a fortress since first playing there in 2001, enjoying a 73 per cent winning strike rate at the ground from 79 matches – 58 wins, 20 losses and one draw.

KEY STATS

Nick Hind has run onto Jade Gresham’s long kick and booted the open goal.

The ball bounced clear of the pack but Hind’s hard-running put himself into the mix.

Dons sub Ben Hobbs has come on for Alwayn Davey jnr.

Dons 81, Giants 62 with 13 mins to go.

Connor Stone is off and speedster Harvey Thomas has come into the game for the Giants.

He has plenty of tricks and could be dangerous if he can get the ball close to goal.

Dons 75, Giants 61 with 15 mins to go.

Guelfi has marked and goaled for his third major of the match.

The belief is through the roof among these Bombers.

A special win is within reach but there is still plenty of time to go.

Dons 75, Giants 61 with 16 mins to go.

Toby Bedford has kicked a goal in response to Guelfi’s effort and it was Ward’s tough work in the middle that forced the turnover.

Huge moment, Giants aren’t going anywhere.

Dons 69, Giants 61 with 18 mins to go.

Guelfi has grabbed the ball in a pack and snapped the first goal of the last term.

The Bombers lead by 14 points with 19 minutes to go. Huge chance but lots of time left.

Dons 69, Giants 55 with 19 mins to go.

Essendon went to another level that quarter and kicked five goals to snatch the lead and throw down the challenge to the Giants.

Langford, Merrett, Martin and many others stepped up – it would be amazing for this club if they can win this match.

The Giants have had an emotional 24 hours but I wouldn’t write them off as they’ve shown they can rise above challenges.

Mason Redman has marked just outside 50m and booted a goal from near 55m from goal.

His booming kick must have gone near 65m as it sailed into the cheersquad.

It’s almost three-quarter time and Essendon are in front.

Dons 61, Giants 55 with two mins to go in Q3.

Jake Stringer hasn’t had heaps of the footy but when he has had it, it has usually resulted in a scoring chance.

He almost took mark of the day but lost the footy on the way down, moments later, he picked up the bouncing ball while on a lead, turned and snapped the goal.

Giants 54, Dons 54 with eight mins to go in Q3.

The Giants put their foot down immediately with Coniglio finding Josh Kelly 60m from goal, he ran into the arc and booted the goal from the left boundary.

The visitors are back in front, Dons fans booed but that is all they can do when Kelly is booting them from there.

Giants 54, Dons 48 with 13 mins to go in Q3.