AFL 2024 round one LIVE updates: Bombers recruits thrive, Stringer kicks four in win over Hawks; Giants, North clash in Sydney

Cam Zurhaar has snapped a great goal on his left foot as the Roos are working their way back into the match.

Zurhaar beat several defenders before bending the ball around and into the goals.

Riccardi has kicked his third with another set shot but North are much more competitive than they were to start with.

Giants 26, Roos 12 with three mins to go in Q1.

Zane Duursma has kicked the first goal of his AFL career with the No.4 pick sprinting into an open goal before being mobbed by nearby teammates.

Earlier today he and his other debutantes were presented with his jumper by his family.

Giants 20, Roos 6 with seven mins to go in Q1.

GWS Giants have powered out of the blocks in their clash with North Melbourne in Sydney.

Jake Riccardi has kicked two goals and the Giants have a three-goal lead.

Giants 19, North 0 with eight mins to go in Q1.

Essendon star Jake Stringer kicked four goals and has praised his club’s straight kicking in today’s win.

Stringer had foot surgery in the offseason and admits he has more improvement to come as he increases his match fitness.

“We wanted to do it not just for our legends but for our supporters,” Stringer told Fox Footy.

“It wasn’t the perfect game but kicking 17 goals, five behinds has won us the game.”

Essendon has scored a morale-boosting win over Hawthorn as their new recruits shined and their emerging players stood tall.

Ben McKay, Todd Goldstein and Jade Gresham all had big moments while Jake Stringer and Kyle Langford led the forward line in each half as the Dons won.

Footy fans leaving the MCG or driving through the city this afternoon should avoid Flinders Street Station as an Extinction Rebellion protest has begun.

Protesters are holding a sit in on the road in front of the station which has been going since around 4pm AEDT.

Read more about the protest here.

Kyle Langford was Essendon’s most reliable forward last year and he has picked up where he left off in 2024.

He has kicked all three of his goals in the second half.

Talk about a player who has the emotional strength to lift his team.

Dons 106, Hawks 82 with four mins to go.

Kyle Langford has stepped up once again for the Dons with a mark and goal that they desperately needed.

Then straight out of the middle was Gresham who was fed the ball and booted a major from outside 50m.

He is a quality finisher, Essendon’s recruits have thrived today.

Dons 100, Hawks 81 with eight mins to go.

Moore has kicked his third goal and now the Hawks believe they can take this win.

The young Bombers need to lift.

73,805 is the official crowd.

Dons 88, Hawks 81 with nine mins to go.