Collingwood are clinging to a five-point half-time lead, but almost everything is pointing towards Hawthorn getting the better of them.
The Hawks kicked the last three goals of the second quarter, including a scintillating effort from the incomparable Nick Watson, who put on the afterburners and dodged a diving Jack Crisp to smash through his first major of the night.
The Pies are only five points ahead at halftime, as a resurgent Hawthorn looms Getty Images
The Pies have corrected their centre-bounce woes – winning all four clearances in there after losing all seven in the opening quarter – but Hawthorn are playing with more patience and dominating in the contest (71-48), which is not sustainable for Collingwood if they expect to win tonight.
Jai Newcombe leads all players with seven contested possessions, but Finn Maginness and Ned Reeves also have six apiece.
The Magpies weren’t as efficient that quarter, either, including twice preferring to hand off to Dan Houston for running attempts instead of set shots – only for the ex-Power star to miss each time.
A big second half awaits…