AFL 2024 round three LIVE updates: Hawkins lights up MCG as Cats take early lead against Hawks in Easter Monday showdown; Major Tiger injury blow

Geelong have won their two opening matches, against St Kilda (8 points) and Adelaide (19 points), while Hawthorn are yet to record a victory, having bowed to Essendon (24 points) and Melbourne (55 points).

Given this, it makes sense the Cats are the favourites for today’s clash but there’s a spark and some optimism in the Hawks’ camp.

So, what’s your take? Who will leave this Easter Monday with the chocolates?

After the Geelong goals fest in the opening quarter, Hawthorn have shut off some of the tap and are keeping the Cats fairly at bay, while they press themselves.

There’s a bit of argy-bargy between these teams, with plenty of pushing and shoving on the park at the MCG. There’s also been a slew of behinds, as they last three scores.

Meanwhile, Cat Max Holmes has come off and is getting some treatment on his right ankle. The physios are getting it strapped.

Cats lead by 29 points.

Cam Mackenzie gets his second of the day, the third for the Hawks.

Mackenzie collected it deep in the inside 50, surrounded by bodies, turned, swivelled, and kicked it straight through goal. There’s a bit of smarts this young Hawk is showing with his footy. One to watch.

It claws back the Cats’ lead to 30 points.

Hawk Connor Macdonald enjoyed that one.

The 21-year-old midfielder kicked an important goal for Hawthorn in the right forward pocket, the same spot as one of Ollie Henry’s and Tom Hawkins’. Seems like a lucky spot today.

Macdonald went straight to the crowd to try and rev them up.

But Jeremy Cameron responded almost instantly and blew the lead back out to 36 points in favour of the Cats.

It’s Geelong goals galore at the MCG. They are booting them quicker than I can type.

The Cats kicked seven goals to one to take a 36-point lead at quarter-time.

Tom Hawkins and Ollie Henry already have two, Jeremy Cameron, Tyson Stengle and Brad Close all have one.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn have kicked just the one goal through young gun Cam Mackenzie.

Tanner Bruhn is leading the disposal count on 14, Karl Amon behind him on 10.

Cats lead by 36-points at QT.

The Hawks fans were on their feet momentarily for what seemed like a Luke Breust major, but score review found the ball had been touched by Jake Kolodjashnij.

Breust then had another opportunity moments later but slipped over right in front of goals with Tom Stewart there to collect.

It got even worse for Hawthorn fans, as the ball made its way from turnover into the hands of Jeremy Cameron, who kicked a goal.

Cats now have five goals to one and lead by 24 points.

The Cats have four goals to one out of the gate.

The last of those came from Ollie Henry, who kicked a set shot from the right forward pocket, a similar spot to where Tom Hawkins kicked his first major of the day.

The other goals have some from Tyson Stengle and Brad Close.

Geelong have taken a strong hold of this game early, with their defence mopping up anything that comes their way and their forwards firing. It’s worrying signs for Hawks coach Sam Mitchell.

Cats lead by 19.

Some injury news from the Tigers’ camp after their win against Sydney on Sunday:

Tigers star Tom Lynch has suffered a hamstring tear that will likely require surgery and Noah Balta a knee injury that will keep him out for up to five weeks in a blow for Richmond after their first win of the season on Sunday.

The pair was injured in the last quarter of the win over Sydney at the MCG on Sunday.
Key forward Lynch planted his leg awkwardly following contact in a marking contest. He felt immediate discomfort and took himself from the field.

“It is rotten luck for Tom, who worked extremely diligently to prepare his body for the season after what was a tough season for him last year,” Richmond’s football performance manager Tim Livingstone said.

“Unfortunately for Tom, he landed in a motion that has caused this injury. He will consult a surgeon in the coming days, which will give us a clearer picture of the injuries timeline, but we are expecting he will be out for the longer term.“

Balta was injured when he landed and felt discomfort in the dying seconds of the game.

He has a “moderate MCL injury” that will keep him on the sidelines for three to five weeks.
“In one of the last contests of the game, Noah unfortunately hurt his knee, and scans have confirmed some damage to his MCL,” Livingstone said.

“We will assess him further this week, but we do not expect him to play before the bye.”

It’s a significant blow to Richmond’s already lean forward stocks.

Tom Hawkins has got the MCG thumping with an early trademark goal in his 350th game.

It was a drop punt from the boundary, and a beautiful kick. The major takes him to equal-13th on the all-time goal kicking leaderboard.

Meanwhile, Jack Ginnivan has come from the ground with some blood coming from his nose.

He walked slowly from the park but looks ok. Good assumption that he’ll be back on soon.

Cats by 6.

The Cats’ early lead has been snuffed out with a crafty goal from young Hawk Cam Mackenzie.

Mackenzie kicked it out of a contest deep in their inside 50 low and hard, piercing the air straight between the sticks.

Scores level.