AFL 2024 round 19 LIVE updates: Dockers making things ugly for ...

Sydney remain three games clear on the top of the ladder, downing North Melbourne last weekend by 79-points. But before that, they notched back-to-back losses against St Kilda and Fremantle.

Meanwhile, Brisbane had a slow start to their season but are now storming into September, having won their last six games. They sit sixth on the ladder but a win today, and they could jump to second. And they’ll have home ground advantage at the Gabba.

So, who do you see taking the four points today?

It looked and felt like the Blues were going to bolt away as Charlie Curnow and Ollie Hollands booted goals in quick succession.

You might expect the Roos would lose their focus and cough up more majors but they have reset nicely and Nick Larkey just kicked a goal in response.

The Roos aren’t backing down and the Blues haven’t yet found their most precise passing so they aren’t creating scores of chances.

Blues by 6

Adam Saad of the Blues.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Koltyn Tholstrup has been subbed out of the game for Melbourne, with Jack Billings coming on.

You can see Tholstrup is filthy on the bench — rolling up a bandage and hurling it to his feet in frustration.

He’ll be understandably disappointed, but he’s not the only Demon to have minimal impact on the game. And he’s got a long, promising career ahead.

Hopefully his teammates get around him — and they might have a quiet word later about the importance of body language in a team sport.

Dockers by 46

What stood out, at the ground, about Harry Sheezel’s opening goal was the running power he showed winning the ball in the centre, pushing forward to get to the pack in the forward line then grabbing the crumbs and snapping a goal.

It’s one thing to have talent but to have that sort of workrate as well says plenty about why he is so quickly moving up the standings among AFL playmakers.

The Roos have been right on top of their defensive system so far this game and they are starting to take their chances too with Paul Curtis nailing a set shot. North are right up for this game.

Kangaroos by 5

Carlton v North Melbourne.Credit: Getty Images

Fremantle have kicked off the second half the way they ended the first: by kicking goals.

Jye Amiss has gone back-to-back in quick succession, to get his second and third goal of the afternoon.

They are fast firing at Optus Stadium, making things even harder the Demons, who can not get hands to the ball.

Dockers by 42

A couple of goals against the run of play thanks to Jacob van Rooyen have kept Melbourne vaguely in the contest at Optus Stadium.

But Michael Walters got one back with a shot after the siren to give the Dockers a five-goal buffer.

Frankly, that’s about five goals less than it should be. It’s a smashing in all facets of the game, except the scoreboard.

The Dockers midfield is running riot. Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw have 21 touches each. Clearances are 24 to 3!

I hated maths in school, and have spent my entire career trying to avoid numbers, but I can’t stop looking at them here.

Dockers lead by 30 at HT.

Jacob van Rooyen of the Demons.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

The growing crowd is walking into Marvel Stadium for today’s clash between Carlton and North Melbourne.

It’s cold and windy outside but tranquil under the roof, which I’m sure both sides will appreciate.

The Blues thumped North by just under 10 goals on Good Friday but the Roos have become much better since then so you would expect a closer contest today.

Desperate for success: Patrick Cripps and his fellow midfielders need to solve their issues at clearances.Credit: Getty Images

Brisbane’s win over Sydney means the Blues need a win to move back ahead of the Lions in second place which adds a little more importance to the game.

North’s pressure has lifted noticeably as well, let’s see that pressure can get to the Blues today. Liam Shiels (Roos) and David Cuningham (Blues) start as the subs and both could make an impact. I

like what Cuningham brings with his pressure work and strength around the ball. First bounce is set for 4.40pm AEST.

Amazingly, the Dockers are in front by just four goals after dominating the opening half. They have owned the contest, with 22 clearances to 2, and have had 32 inside 50s to 12.

Coach Justin Longmuir looks rightfully agitated in the coaches’ box, as they could easily be up by 10 or more goals as the half-time mark approaches.

Melbourne have put through just the three goals, one to Caleb Windsor and two through Jacob van Rooyen.

Dockers by 24.