AFL round two Richmond vs Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs vs ...

After a roller-coaster three quarters of footy, there's just over a kick in it, and I think we can tell why.

The clearances are 22-apiece, and more importantly, the centre clearances are 12-11 to the Tigers.

That's a lot of clean breaks through the middle. If this continues, as both sides tire in the final quarter, it's going to be whoever does most damage from the corridor that will grab the points here.

A late, late goal to Liam Baker kept the Tigers in it.

And then right in the final seconds, the home side wrested the ball out of the centre bounce, a handball went out to Daniel Rioli, and his urgent stab kick found Baker again on his knees inside 50.

He kicked after the siren, it went through, the Tiger roar was up at the MCG, and suddenly we have a seven-point game!!

Can the Tigers do it? 

Sometimes stats don't lie ...

Port Adelaide has nine more inside 50s than the Tigers in the third quarter - they've kicked seven goals to two.

The Power have had the answers so far in the second half — they sweep it forward, and Todd Marshall ends up with the set shot.

He kicks it cleanly from 40m or so out, and they are back out to 20 points.

Whenever Richmond has looked dangerous today, it's been from fast ball movement. They've hit the scoreboard again, with Tim Taranto handballing over the top and the following chip finds Rhyan Mansell.

It's either a mark or a free. Mansell kicks his second, and the lead is back to 14. 

Port Adelaide has kicked six goals to one in the third quarter so far, and a missed snap from Ivan Soldo and a poster from Ollie Wines has moved the margin out to 20 points.

The Tigers defence has been under a lot of pressure in this third term, and the Power are taking their chances now.

The goal to Taranto gave some hope, but Port Adelaide answered with goals to Jeremy Finlayson, and then an off-balance snap from Francis Evans.

The lead is back to 19!

The Tigers needed the next one, and they got it.

Tim Taranto snapped a wicket left-footer from the boundary to get the home fans up and going. It's Port by six!

Is this the same game at the MCG?

Port Adelaide were a bit all over the place in the second quarter, being outrun and outplayed by the Tigers.

Since half-time it's been a different story.

The Power went down the corridor to find Charlie Dixon, who kicked the opener within 90 seconds.

Then Jeremy Finlayson and Dan Houston added more majors, before Todd Marshall grabbed a fourth.

Suddenly the Power lead by two goals!

It doesn't come as much of a surprise, but the AFL has confirmed that Essendon big man Peter Wright has been sent straight to the tribunal for his hit on Sydney's Harry Cunningham.

The incident early in last night's game, saw Wright leave the ground early in a marking contest — he then appeared to turn his body slightly before colliding with Cunningham.

This resulted in the Sydney man being knocked out and taken off on a stretcher (although he was sitting up).

The incident has been graded as careless conduct with severe impact and high contact.

There is no recommended sanction, but cases sent straight to the tribunal usually mean a minimum of three weeks.

Cody Weightman has kicked six goals to steer the Western Bulldogs to a 48-point triumph over Gold Coast for their first win of the AFL season.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge wanted a response to his charges' round one capitulation to Melbourne — and he got it, as a nine-goal first quarter paved the way for a 18.7 (115) to 10.7 (67) victory.

The Bulldogs withstood multiple charges from the Suns to condemn them to their first defeat under Damien Hardwick.

With the breeze at their backs, the Bulldogs were red-hot, booting the first three goals.

Weightman kicked the opener, then took a huge hanger and converted the Bulldogs' second from the subsequent centre bounce.

Bontempelli goaled from long range on the siren to deliver a 41-point lead at the first change.

Gold Coast reduced the deficit to 28 points at half-time, with Weightman's crumbed fifth goal the Bulldogs' only major for the second term.

In a see-sawing third quarter, the Bulldogs booted four goals in a row to stretch their lead to 46 points.

But Gold Coast booted the final three of the term, with two via Nick Holman, to cut the three-quarter time margin to 28 and remain in touching distance.

But early in the fourth, the magnificent Weightman snapped his sixth to steady the Bulldogs before Bontempelli kicked the sealer.

Skipper Marcus Bontempelli (31 disposals, 10 clearances and two goals) and Adam Treloar (27 touches) were typically prolific while Tom Liberatore had an entertaining battle with Matt Rowell.

It's on trend that after a half of football like that, it ends with a bit of chaos.

Richmond have the ball in defence in the final seconds, but Zac Butters marks on the wing - and Tom Lynch is a bit agricultural with that challenge, running through the back of the Port star.

It's 50! And Butters squeezes the ball through (just! After a review) for a goal.

Much needed, that the Power trails by 11 at the break.

Richmond kicked 4.6 to 2.2 in that quarter, and they are beginning to dominate, but will they live to rue some of those missed shots? We'll find out after the long break. 

I don't know how to describe that minute of football ...

The Tigers were pressuring, but Shai Bolton gave away a free for a push in the back, then mucked around giving the ball back and gave away 50.

It was Richmond under pressure in defence, but Balta intercepted and the Tigers broke clear, it came back to Bolton, and he CRUSHED a kick from the point of 50.

It flies through perfectly, the Tiger Army are up and about, and the home side leads by 17!

This is working somehow for the Tigers. They are getting hold of the ball in the centre square and running through the corridor.

This time the kick goes over the back in the left forward pocket, and Seth Campbell keeps his head and does a perfect chip for Noah Balta. he marks and then runs round and snaps one through the sticks and into the second tier by the looks!

Tigers by 11 late in the second quarter!

The Tigers are looking good when they move it fast - they had Port Adelaide under big pressure inside 50, but Aliir Aliir got the ball clear after about five false starts there.

They keep the pressure up, though and force a throw-in in the right forward pocket. It ends up bouncing for Dustin Martin, who spears a pass inbound to Daniel Rioli, who marks in front.

Rioli kicks Richmond's fifth, and the Tigers lead again!

It's a confusing old game.

Richmond is playing better, they've dragged the inside 50 deficit back to 20-23.; The Tigers are leading the clearances 12-10, and edging contested possessions 49-45.

The big issue for the home side is marks inside 50. The Power have seven to Richmond's one. If that trend continues, surely Port Adelaide will make them pay.

Good Lord, are we playing Aussie rules or soccer here?

Port Adelaide break down the right wing, the ball gets sent to the goalsquare, it comes off the head of Tigers defender James Trezise 1 and Darcy Byrne-Jones is there, Gary Lineker-style, to volley home the poacher's goal!

Port Adelaide ahead again!

Finally! Dustin Martin gets free forward of the ball, he receives it, feeds a fast handball to Shai Bolton, who goes wide to Marlion Pickett. And Pickett kicks truly on the run!

Tigers in front!

You get the sense there is a bit of frustration from both sides out there. Neither is getting any sort of flow, particularly in front of goal.

Richmond are definitely trying, Shai Bolton just danced along the right forward pocket boundary, advanced it to Tim Taranto who kicked a checkside and hit the post.

It's 3.8 to 3.6 for Port Adelaide, and we're waiting for someone to grab hold of this game.