AFL round two LIVE updates: Crows surging before half-time buoyed by fervent home-town fans

The Cats have been excellent but haven’t created enough space between themselves and the Crows – on another night they would be six goals clear.

But the Crows have been aggressive and direct with the footy and it has kept them in the match.

Huge third term to come, you can’t help but feel Geelong could rip this game open or Adelaide could storm into the lead if either of them have a proper run of momentum and goals.

Cats key defender Tom Stewart is having a huge impact on the contest in his 150th AFL game.

The premiership defender has earned eight intercept possessions already along with three contested marks and four score involvements.

A brilliant half from one of the best defenders in the game.

Cats 47, Crows 33 with five mins to go in Q2.

Ollie Henry has found space to lead out and win the ball before going back and kicking his first goal of the night.

Blicavs was vital in winning the footy in the middle and it let the Cats attack and find Henry. Blicavs has been superb so far tonight – he’s done a bit of everything for the Cats.

Cats 46, Crows 32 with 11 mins to go in Q2.

The Crows aren’t backing down from the Cats, despite being unable to stop them power into the forward 50 with regularity.

What they are doing is pushing forward every chance they get and it is working.

Burgess again came up with the ball and kicked a goal.

He has done well to run clear of his man and find space.

Cats 40, Crows 32 with 12 mins to go in Q2.

Steve Barrett’s take on the first quarter:

Geelong’s menacing forward line and ruthless defence have launched the Cats to a 19-point quarter-time lead over Adelaide.

Jake Soligo’s opening major and Josh Rachele’s goal after the siren bookended a term that was otherwise thoroughly dominated by the Cats.

Tom Stewart has piloted Geelong’s impeccable, intercepting defensive wall, while Gryan Miers’ dynamic finishing and playmaking at the other end has given Adelaide’s backline headaches.

The Cats had an early scare when Rhys Stanley hobbled off after his left knee crumpled beneath Reilly O’Brien in ]a ruck contest but, after the versatile Mark Blicavs shifted across one spot to fill the gap with momentary ease, the big No.1 ruckman soon returned.

Darcy Fogarty has come up with a mark and goal to cut the lead to 13 points.

Super start from the Crows who still have some work to do to get back into it.

Cats 39, Crows 26 with 16 mins to go in Q2.

The Cats have made the perfect start kicking six goals in the first term but their good work was a little let down by a late mark and goal from Josh Rachele to cut the margin to 19 points.

Tom Hawkins just keep the ball away from the left post as his kick for goal from the left side sailed in.

The veteran forward is still a tough cover and he showed it by taking a strong mark and kicking the goal.

Jeremy Cameron has marked and goaled just after his big mate.

This is how they rank in total scoreboard impact since 2019.

Cats 39, Crows 13 with 90 seconds until QT.

Chris Burgess has finished off a fast, direct move forward from the Crows who pushed the ball through the middle and found him in the clear, he wheeled around and kicked the goal.

Cats 25, Crows 12 with six mins to go in Q1.