AFL LIVE 2024 updates: Lions draw first blood but key tall suffers ...

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4.10pm

Cats dream up Harmes-like super goal

The Cats have booted the goal of the night in a manner that would make an English Premier League club proud.

It would have elicited a nod of approval from grand final great Wayne Harmes such was its audacity.

Gryan Miers stopped the ball on the boundary deep in the Geelong pocket just as it was about to roll over the line, and then in a split second booted it off the ground towards goal like a soccer cross. It was similar to the way in which Harmes was able to keep the ball alive in the 1979 grand final against Collingwood (OK, we are showing a bit of age here).

As Miers’ kick ball bobbled across the face of the goals, Oliver Henry pounced like a soccer striker and tapped it through with his right boot for a major.

Cats 35 pts, Lions 27 pts, 11 mins remaining Q2

4.05pm

Jezza goal puts Cats in front

Jeremy Cameron has kicked his second goal of the game to put the Cats in front in a highly entertaining preliminary final at the MCG.

Cats 29pts, Lions 27pts, 14 mins remaining Q2

4.02pm

McInerney’s injury will have a big say on this gameBy Andrew Stafford and Jon Pierik

McInerney is playing on for now but should he have to leave the game, how the Lions are able to adjust on the fly will have a huge say on the outcome on this game.

Otherwise, they’ve shown great signs after weathering an early assault by the Cats.

Oscar McInerney of the Lions receives medical attention after injuring his shoulder.Credit: Getty Images

They composed themselves; they won territory. Zac Bailey, who has had a poor finals series to date, slipped young Lawson Humphries repeatedly.

Eric Hipwood bobbing up for a goal will give him the lift he needs, ditto Charlie Cameron, who complemented a goal with a superb inside-50 tackle.

Daniher can ruck capably. The question is whether he can do it for a long period, should McInerney’s shoulder not see out the game.

Age sports reporter Jon Pierik has added some analysis on how McInerney is rucking with his injured shoulder:

McInerney, because of his left-shoulder injury, has been using his right hand to tap the ball.

As Lions’ coaching great and club board director Leigh Matthews pointed out on 3AW, McInerney is left-handed. That makes his challenge even more difficult.

4.01pm

Lions, Cats trade goals

The game has hit a sweet spot with three goals in the opening three minutes of the second term.

Oliver Henry struck first for the Cats, the Lions followed up with a mark and goal from Logan Morris and then Geelong struck again through Shaun Mannagh.

Lions 27pts, Cats 23pts, 16mins remaining in Q2

3.58pm

Check out the Lohmann screamer

Geelong have nailed the first goal of the second quarter.

Oliver Henry nudged Harrison Andrews under the ball and then fell out the back to pick up the Sherrin and snap an easy major.

It has been an eventful opening to the second term. Moments before Henry scored his goal, Kai Lohmann pulled in a screamer on the wing.

Lions 21, Cats 17, 17 mins remaining Q2

Kai Lohmann of the Lions takes a spectacular mark over Zach Guthrie.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

3.53pm

Brave McInerney to test shoulderBy Andrew Wu

Oscar McInerney has emerged from the MCG rooms to a ... smatter of applause from the Lions fans.

That’s not because of any lack of respect, I suspect there’d be a few fans getting a pie and/or beer or with their back to the field during quarter time.

McInerney has his left shoulder strapped, and he’s heading into the centre square. He’s going to give this a go. This is courageous by McInerney.

Hopefully, his shoulder does not pop out.

3.50pm

Quarter time stats

3.43pm

Lions suffer a big early injury blowBy Andrew Wu

Oscar McInerney leaves the field with a dislocated shoulder.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

The quarter-time siren has sounded: Lions 20pts, Cats 10pts

3.41pm

Lions take a first-quarter lead

Finally, scores are starting to flow.

Jeremy Cameron goaled for Geelong, and then the Lions went back to back.

The first came off the boot of Zac Bailey, and then Eric Hipwood followed with a beautiful left foot snap.

That’s four goals in a hurry after a dour opening 15 minutes.

Lions 20pts, Cats 10pts, 5mins remaining Q1

3.37pm

Lions draw first blood

Charlie Cameron has scored the first goal of the game.

But it came after a moment of controversy. Cameron took a mark on the boundary line deep in the pocket but opponent Tom Stewart claimed it was over the line. Gee, it looked over.

But the umpire said it was legal and Charlie snapped truly. Sadly, the game is not at the Gabba and there was no Country Road playing.

When the ball was kicked to Cameron, Eric Hipwood ironed out Jack Henry with a hip and shoulder to sit him on his backside. From a distant it looked like a fair shepherd.

Lions 8pts, Cats 4pts, 6mins remaining.

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