Roy WardUpdated June 5, 2026 — 8:23pm,first published 6:32pm8.23pmMcNeil is out By The Bulldogs are down a player with Lachie McNeil ruled out with a concussion.Luke Beveridge remained on the bench after quarter-time to juggle his line-up and now it is clear why as McNeil looked very shaky after a collision late in the first term.To make matters worse, a tight 50m penalty took Ned Reeves from centre wing to deep in the forward line.Reeves drilled the kick.“Goals are hard to come by [tonight], which is rare for this kind of game,” Garry Lyon said on Kayo Sports.Hawks 22, Dogs 12 with 14 mins to go in Q2.8.18pmAnalysis: Dogs all bark, and plenty of biteBy Kaching, kaching, kaching.The AFL cash register has just clicked into overdrive after an unsightly melee erupted at quarter-time at the MCG.The hostilities started with a push-and-shove between Nick Watson and his opponent Michael Sellwood on the boundary line as the siren sounded to end the first term.Just as things seemed to be easing down, Rory Lobb and Blake Hardwick picked up hostilities and wrestled each other to the ground, falling at the base of the boundary fence.8.17pmEnglish injures his nose, now back on benchBy Dogs ruckman Tim English remains off the field after a collision with Marcus Bontempelli saw him potentially break his nose.He is back on the bench with his nose packed with gauze and the like, so it looks like he plans to play on.But just in case, Matthew Croft was shown putting on his shin pads at quarter-time, so he may be preparing to back up Rory Lobb in the ruck.It appears Lachie McNeil could be out with a possible concussion, but that hasn’t been confirmed yet.Hawks 15, Dogs 12 with 18 mins to go in Q2.8.13pmQuarter-time statsBy 8.11pmQT: Hawthorn 2.2 (14) to Western Bulldogs 2.0 (12)By The Hawks have a slight lead in a fast, wild opening term at the MCG.Nick Watson and Michael Sellwood wrestled after the siren and a bunch of other players joined into turn it into a melee (of sorts), at least by footy standards.Watson and Lachie McNeil clashed earlier in the term.8.01pm‘The Bont’ shows his classBy Bontempelli has streamed through the middle taking a handball and kicking the ball out in front of Matthew Croft who ran onto the ball and slammed it home despite a close chase from Sicily.Hawks 14, Dogs 12 with six mins to go in Q1.Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs leads his team out.Getty Images7.55pmHawks firing awayBy Connor Macdonald has nailed a shot for goal to extend Hawthorn’s lead as the home side continue to control proceedings at the MCG.Macdonald did his usual vivid celebration and the Hawks have settled best after a defensive start for both sides.Hawks 14, Dogs 6 with 10 mins to go in Q1.Nick Watson of the Hawks attempts to mark the ball.Getty Images7.49pmAnalysis: The view from the standsBy Some early match-ups for the folks at home: Michael Sellwood has latched on to Nick Watson, Marcus Bontempelli is being shadowed by Hawk tagger Cam Mackenzie, Blake Hardwick has started forward and finds Buku Khamis as an opponent, and Hawks key defender Josh Battle is standing Aaron Naughton.Comeback kid Cody Weightman started on a wing, but has already made his way to the bench for a breather after two early possessions. And didn’t the Bulldog army love both of them.7.48pmDale, Watson trade goalsBy The Dogs and Hawks have attacked each other’s 50-metre arcs but no one has created a shot until Bailey Dale won a free kick in the forward pocket and nailed a shot from the boundary.He loved that kick and celebrated accordingly.But the Hawks won the ball from the middle and found Nick Watson, who ran within range and nailed his shot for goal.Hawks 7, Dogs 6 with 13 mins to go in Q1.7.40pmYour view: Hawks or Dogs?By 1 of 3