AFL round 15 LIVE updates: Uncertainty over injured Hawkins as Blues push towards victory

That’s got to suck some of the life out of the Cats’ comeback hopes.

Matthew Kennedy has kicked off the final quarter with his first goal of the night. It came from a set shot after being marched up the ground with a 50m penalty after a Geelong player arrived late to the contest after the mark was taken.

Gryan Miers had a chance to answer, but his kick went through for a minor. It’s his second behind of the night and each time he’s looked incredibly frustrated with himself.

Blues by 32

There might still be life in this contest, but Carlton take a 27-point lead into three-quarter-time over Geelong.

But the Cats look like they will have to do it one player down. Out-of-sorts spearhead Tom Hawkins hobbled off late in the third quarter, shortly after Geelong subbed out Oisin Mullin for Gary Rohan.

Rohan made an instant impact with a goal and they looked livelier in attack with Hawkins out of there.

The Blues are dominating the clearances (40-23) and have the best player on the ground in Tom De Koning, although he gave away a free kick that gifted brother Sam a goal in that term.

Patrick Cripps (28) and Sam Walsh (22) have 50 touches and 18 clearances between them in a dominant one-two punch.

And it’s a lead with still some significant buffer room, despite the Cats managing to get on a run of three goals in the third quarter.

After booting 11 majors in the opening half, the Blues were held to just one goal in the third quarter.

If the Cats can keep some of this momentum, it could make for an interesting final quarter.

Blues by 27 at 3QT

Ok, well that makes things a bit interesting.

The Cats have now kicked the last three of the game, the final of those through Brad Close.

Close finished off what was a team goal, with the ball travelling amongst a pack of them inside 50 through a series of handballs.

It puts the game within five goals.

Blues by 27

Things are just getting worse for the Cats as the big man, Tom Hawkins, has limped off the ground, unable to put any weight on his left ankle.

He was visibly frustrated, throwing his mouthguard at the ground, as he took a seat on the bench to be assessed.

In brighter news, Gary Rohan has sunk a major. The Cats now lead the Blues this quarter with two goals to one, but still trail the game by 33 points.

Blues by 33

Make that 1:1 for the De Koning brothers as Geelong’s Sam slots through his first for the night. He earned the free after his brother, Tom, got him with a knee in the head in a marking contest.

Their mum, Jackie, is having a blast in the stands, wine in hand and celebrations ongoing.

It’s just the second goal this term, with each side clocking one, with five minutes left on the clock.

Blues by 38

Gary Rohan has come on as the activated sub as Chris Scott searches for answers down by 44-points against the Blues midway through the third quarter.

Blues by 44

Alex Cincotta has a hard tag on one of the best defenders in the competition in Tom Stewart and now that’s twice he’s gotten the better of him with a goal.

It’s the Blues’ 12th of the evening, to extend their lead to 40.

Blues by 40

Ok, the Cats need to get a wriggle on here.

Let’s see if they can conjure something against the Blues, who ran a riot in the first half.