Live: Hawks run rampant after young Bomber kicks goal on debut

They’re 27 points down after one quarter …

Can the Bombers find an answer to halt the Hawks’ momentum?

Let’s find out, as the second term makes a start.

You might be on the money tonight, Mike!

Well … what just happened there?!

After Isaac Kako kicked a goal on debut for the Bombers, it was all the Hawks.

Sam Mitchell’s troops kicked six straight, making the most of the forward-50 entries.

There’s plenty for Brad Scott to ponder at the first change as the Bombers look to get back in the contest.

Nick Watson contributes to the Bombers’ pain with another Hawks goal and his second of the night.

Slick ball movement found Watson virtually on his own inside the attacking 50 and he made no mistake with the set-shot.

Hawks lead by 29 points.

Mabior Chol wanted a piece of the action and it came the way of kicking the Hawks’ FIFTH consecutive goal of the evening.

As we approach the first change, it’s the Hawks up by 23 points.

Massimo D’Ambrosio ices a brilliant attacking moment to kick the Hawks’ fourth goal of the term.

It was a satisfying goal for the former Bomber.

After conceding the opening goal of the match, the Hawks kick three straight to set up a 12-point lead.

This time it was the ‘Wizard’, Nick Watson, who nailed a set-shot from the right of goal inside the Bombers’ defensive 50.

Jack Ginnivan adds a second goal for the Hawks after winning a marking contest.

Ginnivan then went around the corner from the set-shot to help the Hawks’ establish a five-point lead midway through the first term.

It didn’t take the Hawks long to find a response.

Blake Hardwick used a left-foot snap inside the attacking 50 to slot the Hawks’ opening goal.

Isaac Kako, come on down!

Kako, making his AFL debut, kicks the first goal of his senior career almost midway through the first quarter.

The Bombers sent the ball long into the attacking 50, with Kako using his speed to reach the ball and toe it through for the opening goal of the match.

It’s been a busy opening quarter so far, yet a single behind to the Bombers is the only score to show for it.

The Bombers were unable to make the most of a forward-50 entry, with Sam Draper registering a behind.

The first quarter makes a start — stick with us through the evening!

We’re only minutes away from the opening bounce and the tenson is rising at the ‘G.

Will Bombers fans be celebrating later this evening?

Or will the Hawks enter the weekend with a 2-0 return?

In other AFL news …

Richmond key forward Tom Lynch has been offered a one-match suspension for his high bump on Carlton ruck Tom De Koning.

Lynch will miss the Tigers’ round-two clash with the Power at Adelaide Oval next Saturday unless Richmond successfully appeals his rough conduct charge.

He was cited for a contest in the second quarter of the Tigers’ upset win over the Blues.

De Koning was firing off a handball deep in defence when Lynch collected him in the jaw with his shoulder.

The incident was assessed as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.

Richmond could take the case to the tribunal, given it would sorely miss Lynch — who was restricted to just eight matches across 2023 and 2024 through foot and hamstring injuries — against the Power.

The Tigers could potentially argue that Blues defender Jacob Weitering pushed Lynch into De Koning.

Blues midfielder Adam Cerra can accept a $3,125 fine for his third offence of making careless contact with an umpire.

— AAP

We already have one match in the can for this week’s round.

The Tigers — who trailed the Blues by 41 points during the second quarter — opened their season with a ‘W’ at the MCG on Thursday night.

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Both the Hawks and Bombers have named their subs for the evening.

Sam Frost will do the honours for the Hawks, while Jade Gresham takes on the role for the Dons.

The Hawks were forced to make one change to the line-up that defeated the Swans by 20 points at the SCG last Friday night.

The injured James Worpel was ruled out with injury, with Josh Ward named in the Hawks squad.

It’s the Bombers’ first home-and-away match of the season and they have included Isaac Kako to make his AFL debut.

Jaxon Prior will don the Sash for the first time, having joined the Bombers in the off-season after he was de-listed by the Lions.

Prior’s dad Michael played 90 matches for the Bombers and Eagles between 1994 and 2002.

Meanwhile, congratulations to the Hawks’ Conor Nash who notches up his 100th senior match this evening.

G’day and thanks for joining ABC Sport’s digital coverage of the Friday night clash between the Hawks and Bombers at the MCG.

I’m Luke Pentony and it’s great to have you on board as we continue coverage of round one.

If you’re old enough to remember the ’80s, Hawks-Bombers encounters no doubt always whet your appetite.

They faced off in three consecutive grand finals (1983-85) and the spicy rivalry has continued in the following decades, perhaps most famously portrayed in 2004’s ‘Line in the sand’ match.

Who will have bragging rights after tonight?

We’ll find out over the next few hours.