Fox Footy’s Mark Howard said before the second half started that the crowd is now up to 91,000 fans.
That is a huge number for a regular season game that doesn’t involve Collingwood.
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4.06pm
Crowd has passed 90,0004.03pm
Riewoldt confirms Martin storyBy Roy WardRichmond great Jack Riewoldt has confirmed the story that Dustin Martin did leave his car under the MCG for two months following the 2019 premiership win.
“The rumours were true that at the end of 2019, his car was downstairs at the MCG for two months. He left his car here for two months and went on an overseas holiday,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy.
“First day of preseason, before the time trial, the first thing he had to do was come over to the MCG and pick it up so he had something to drive around in for the 2020 season.”
Dustin Martin holds up the 2019 premiership cup.Credit: Justin McManus
3.58pm
Half-time at the MCG, and the Tigers have some work to do if they are to mark Dustin Martin’s 300th game with victory.
The Hawks have maintained the spirited and fearless style that has earned them five wins from their past six starts.
Hugo Ralphsmith of the Tigers is tackled by Will Day of the Hawks.Credit: Getty Images
The underdogs during this patch, the Hawks have not been daunted by expectation or the massive crowd of over 80,000, which has created a finals-like atmosphere.
The Hawks’ half-backs are having a big say on the game.
Jack Scrimshaw, James Sicily and Josh Weddle are all major factors in why the Hawks have moved the ball with more fluency.
Will Day is getting the job done with and without the ball. His run-down tackle on Hugo Ralphsmith, who was streaming inside 50, was team-lifting.
Their small forwards Dylan Moore, Jack Ginnivan and Nick Watson have been lively.
The Tigers need more from Dustin Martin, who after bringing the crowd to their feet with the first goal in his milestone game has done very little.
Their midfield, with the exception of Tim Taranto, needs to get busy.
They have been beaten 3-9 out of the middle.
Shai Bolton has had his moments, kicking a goal on the run, but Tom Lynch has been unsighted with only two touches in his comeback game.
For a fleeting second in the first term, I thought he may have been a late withdrawal.
3.55pm
Breust making sub history3.45pm
Half-time stats – Tigers v Hawks3.43pm
HT: Hawthorn 7.6 (48) to Richmond 4.5 (29)The Hawks lead and have had the better of the opportunities during the first half despite the size of the Richmond crowd which Fox Footy has reported currently at 89,000.
The Tigers are struggling for goals but battling hard in the contests.
Hawks star Will Day has only had 12 disposals but he has made the most of his touches with some crucial long kicks and a goal-saving tackle on Hugo Ralphsmith in the second term.
“Day has been a moments man today,” Nathan Buckley said on Fox Footy.
“He hasn’t had heaps of the footy but he’s been in three or four big moments and stood up each time, that tackle on Ralphsmith.”
3.39pm
Dusty’s impact limited – so farBy Andrew WuThe man of the moment, Dustin Martin, is not having a big say in his milestone game.
Martin has been largely unsighted since bringing the crowd to its feet with the first goal of the game.
He has just six possessions, but hasn’t done a whole heap with them.
The Tigers need him to get involved. It would bring the yellow and black dominated crowd into the match.
Dustin Martin.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
3.37pm
Chol with a special goalChol had to come up with something special after taking a mark tight on the boundary line from a Will Day pass.
But Chol came around on his left foot and curved a banana kick around the goal post.
He’s kicked two goals today and been important.
Hawks 46, Tigers 28 with four mins to go in Q2.
Mabior Chol of the Hawks celebrates kicking a goal.Credit: Getty Images
3.28pm
Ginnivan continues to show his worthBy Andrew WuBig goal for the Hawks by Jack Ginnivan.
The Tigers have had most of the play in the first 10 minutes of the second quarter, but have only the one goal to show for it.
Ginnivan has looked dangerous every time he gets near the ball. He is proving to be a very handy recruit for the Hawks.
Tom Brown of the Tigers and Jack Ginnivan of the Hawks compete for the ball.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
3.27pm
Macdonald adds to lead; Bolton respondsConnor MacDonald has kicked his 13th goal of 2024 and it has pushed the Hawthorn lead out to 17 points.
The Tigers are battling, but the Hawks have a little more in their midfield at present.
But the Tigers have plenty of courage and they pushed the ball forward on the last play and found Shai Bolton, who booted a running goal.
Hawks 39, Tigers 28 with 11 mins to go in Q2.
James Worpel of the Hawks is tackled by Dustin Martin of the Tigers.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
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