Source :- THE AGE NEWS
A late goal to Harry Sharp has fired the Dees to a bumper lead in the first term in Launceston.
The Hawks are missing some key players and lost Tom Barrass to the blood rule for the early moments of the term but they were very poor and Melbourne pounced kicking goals from set shots and also on the run.
Josh Ward and Bailey Laurie have traded goals in a lively opening term.
And to add to the Dees success stories, Latrelle Pickett, who is back in the side today, has made a tough tackle on Will Day and then has kicked a goal.
They are flying.
In more good news, Bayley Fritsch is set to return for the Dees after having a finger issue checked.
Dees 41, Hawks 8 with three mins to go in Q1.
Melbourne are on fire at Launceston with Matt Jefferson running onto a handball and running into an open goal.
Fritsch has a finger issue and it remains unclear if he will be back while Barrass is back on with his face taped up.
Dees 26, Hawks 2 with 10 mins to go in Q1.
The Demons are all over the Hawks right now with Harrison Petty winning the ball following a turnover and then booting the goal.
The Hawks are miles off their best right now and the Dees will exploit them for as long as they can.
Dees 20, Hawks 1 with 13 mins to go in Q1.
Bayley Fritsch kicked the opening goal but soon after the Dees premiership forward was sent to the rooms with some form of injury.
It’s not clear what the issue is but there is a concern that he could be out for the match but we will wait for full advice from the Demons.
Dees 14, Hawks 1 with 14 mins to go in Q1.
The Demons have dominated field position in the opening minutes and it resulted in Bayley Fritsch winning a free kick and then kicking a goal from a tight angle.
This is Melbourne’s first game in Launceston, so far they are doing well.
Ed Langdon followed that with a classy bouncing snap in the pocket that sailed through the goals.
Dees 6, Hawks 0, 17 mins to go in Q1.
Tom Barass was hit hard when he was collected during a marking contest.
It left him with a cut on the face and he’s left the ground for treatment.
Hawks 0, Dees 0, 18 mins to go in Q1.
Hawthorn have two first gamers in their side today in Noah Mraz and Matt Hill.
Defender Josh Battle has had his appendix removed, dealing Hawthorn another major blow for their big AFL match against Melbourne.
The All-Australian went to hospital with abdominal pain on Thursday and had surgery in the evening. Bodie Ryan is his most likely replacement for the Saturday afternoon game in Launceston.
While the Hawks will regain forward Jack Gunston (foot) for the first time since late May, Karl Amon and Ned Reeves also went out of the side this week with knee problems.
Earlier this week, the Hawks ruled out Nick Watson because of a hamstring issue.
