Live: Tigers and Eagles put generation next on display at the MCG

Moments before this Harley Reid absoutely laced Waterman out on the lead, and somehow the gun full forward dropped it cold. Sure enough, the next high ball came floating in and Waterman soared for a terrific contested grab.

He’s a wonderful set shot and made no mistake. Eagles starting strongly in the second.

That’s three in a row now for the Eagles and it’s back to a one-point game. Owies nailed Ralphsmith in a fantastic tackle inside 50 and won the free kick for holding the ball.

Owies missed a sitter to start the first quarter but made no mistake to start the second.

The Tigers really should be further ahead having dominated most of the quarter and having kicked 3.4 with three more out on the full. But those two late goals for West Coast in red time have changed the tone of the term and given the Eagles a platform to attack from.

West Coast, it must be said, has been pretty poor. But if they can find some even footing in the midfield the Eagles clearly have enough about them to score against this Tigers defence.

A stroke of luck for the Eagles there, and they cash in. Harley Reid took a speculative pop at goal from deep in the pocket and it looked certain to go out for a throw in, but the ball bounced on its point and sat up for Jamie Cripps.

Cripps paddled it back to Hunt in the pocket, who snapped truly off a step. Costly late goals for the Tigers to concede.

The Eagles turned it into a scrap at the top of the goalsquare after Tyler Brockman stuck an excellent tackle at the top of the 50.

Bodies and the ball tumbled everywhere, but Cripps managed to send a moonball up over the pack and through for the goal.

The Tigers are just waltzing through the West Coast defence so easily. Jake Waterman dropped a mark at half-back and the ball just came flying back down the other end, resulting in a Campbell goal from two metres out.

Big warning signs for the Eagles. The Tigers are cooking.

Andrew McQualter will be tearing his hair out. Tyler Brockman took a mark at defensive 50 and was bundled over by Luke Trainor. The umpire awarded Brockman a 50m penalty, at which point he gave Trainor a little whack in the back. Trainor hit the deck like he’d been shot, the umpire reversed the call and the Eagles were cooked.

Trainor found Taranto easily and the set shot was a comfy one. Silly, silly stuff from the Eagles.

The Tigers are +13 in contested ball and +3 in clearances already, which is a continuation of the Eagles’ midfield woes this season.

It’s all Richmond at the moment but it’s not hit the scoreboard yet. Some of the skill errors being made by both teams, but particularly West Coast, are quite incredible.

It’s been a scrappy start, as we may have expected, but the best bit of ball movement for the afternoon so far ends in a Richmond goal.

The Tigers take it from one end to the other straight through the middle of the ground with just two kicks, splitting the Eagles’ defence wide open. Lynch marked strongly out the back and kicked a nice goal.

A glorious afternoon at the MCG, let’s hope for a good one.

Smiles and handshakes between Reuben Ginbey and Sam Lalor  before the bounce after their little incident in the preseason. No bad blood there it seems.

Game on.

Yet another new face this year for the Tigers, Tom Sims is a really athletic and competitive (and very tall) young player. Richmond has been afraid to let the young guys rip this year and Sims will be hoping for similar success as some of his teammates.

Jeez, they don’t come much later than this. And it’s a costly one for the Tigers, with Jayden Short pulled from the line up just 15 minutes before the bounce.

James Trezise has come in to replace Short, but will start as Richmond’s sub. Kane McAuliffe comes in to the starting 22.

A pair of Vic Country’s finest exports, and the number one draft picks of 2023 and 2024. Harley Reid and Sam Lalor have a lot in common.

Let’s hope we get to see the best of both today, because both of them are a thrill to behold when in full flight.

West Coast captain Oscar Allen is a late out for the Eagles, failing to prove his fitness as he battles a knee issue. Harry Edwards is in to replace him and will play key defence.

Kane McAuliffe is sub for Richmond, Tom Gross is sub for West Coast.

G’day, and welcome back to ABC Sport’s live blog coverage of the 2025 AFL season. We wrap up round nine today with three very different games, something for everyone perhaps.

First up it’s Richmond and West Coast at the MCG. On paper it might not set the pulses racing but when you pit two young teams against each other, two sides not expected to win more than a small handful of games all year, sometimes you get fireworks. Both teams will be absolutely cracking in today in full belief a win is possible.

Then we’re in Geelong where the Cats play host to GWS. Geelong will still be riding high after last week’s win over Collingwood, but the Giants need a bounceback scalp after defeat to Sydney in their local derby.

Finally, we’re off to Hobart where North Melbourne takes on Brisbane. Another mismatch on paper, but in their home away from home perhaps the Roos can find something to stun the reigning champs.

Myself and Chris De Silva will have it all for you today, so strap in and enjoy the ride!