Live: Lions snap outrageous back-to-back goals in exhilarating Hawks prelim

Jack Gunston takes a good mark in the pocket and drills the set shot from an acute angle for his 50th career finals goal.

Hawthorn getting a good repeat inside 50 there before the Lions could set up their defence.

This is an absolute shootout here so far. Four of Hawthorn’s five goals have come from turnovers.

The Lions have hit a stride defensively here in the last five minutes.

Jack Ginnivan was absolutely flattened in a tackle by Eric Hipwood at half-forward before Darcy Gardiner traps Jack Gunston holding the ball inside 50.

Uhh ohh, the Lions are starting to wake up a little here.

They rebound off halfback after a turnover and Will Ashcroft sets sail for home from 49m out tucked into the pocket and he slots it.

The two-time Norm Smith medallist has four touches and a clearance to go along with his goal.

Eric Hipwood misses a set shot from outside 50 slightly to the left, but there are some more positive signs for the Lions.

Logan Morris is playing up the ground a little as the Lions try to drag Tom Barrass outside defensive 50.

Darcy Fort grabs the ball out of the ruck contest inside 50 and dribbles towards home but hits the left-hand upright.

He was able to completely monster Josh Weddle in that ruck contest.

That’s one to keep an eye on this afternoon.

Mitch Lewis has two goals in as many minutes after getting some Tom Hawkinsesque left to right bend on a set shot from just outside 50m out.

Really poor defending from Harris Andrews as he left Lewis alone, allowing James Sicily to find him.

Josh Ward busy early for Hawthorn with four disposals and two clearances already midway through the first term.

I reckon my fingers are going to fall off if they keep scoring at this rate.

The Hawks finally get a centre clearance and Ty Gallop looks to break away with the ball after the drop, but he’s caught dead in his tracks by Mitch Lewis.

Terrific forward pressure from the big man, and he takes advantage of his good work by slotting the set shot from 40m out directly in front.

Meanwhile, Lachie Neale has come back out onto the ground after his mini-break.

Reckon this goal was drawn up in the Ashcroft backyard over the last decade.

Will wriggles out of a tackle attempt 60m out from goal and spots Levi free inside 50 and hits him up with a lovely chipped kick.

Levi does well to run back with the flight of the footy and then drills the set shot from 40m out on a tricky angle.

Brisbane with a 3-0 edge in centre clearances early.

Early alarm bells for Brisbane’s backline here. I’m not too sure if this Lester-Watson match-up is working.

Watson is lightning quick and he’s making Lester panic.

Lester holds onto the Wizard this time and gives away the free kick for holding the man.

Watson obliges and snaps home his second goal from close range.

Geez this match is off to an absolute flyer already.

Sam Draper with the centre clearance as he grabs the ball out of the ruck contest and hammers it forward, finding Charlie Cameron on the lead.

Cameron makes no mistake on the set shot from directly in front.

What a start for Hawthorn!

Harris Andrews looks in prime position to knock through the ball for a behind but Nick Watson whizzes past him and toepokes it home.

That is some finish from the Wizard!

An eerie hush goes over the MCG as the two teams line up and stare each other down for the national anthem.

I don’t know how they do it. My heart would be bouncing out of my chest during this moment.

The man for the big occasion, Uncle Colin Hunter Jr, is out here for the Welcome to Country as well.

You’re correct Phillip.

As Ollie has proven lately, all my opps are thriving these days, so perhaps that’s a good omen for the Hawks.