AFL LIVE: All eyes on Patrick Dangerfield’s injury scare; Cats start to leap clear at the ’G

The West Coast Eagles are serving it up to the Dockers at Perth Stadium.

Many thought the Dockers would bolt in, but they are leading by just eight points at half-time - 5.10 (40) to the Eagles 5.2 (32).

Jye Amiss leads the scoring with three goals for the Dockers, while Eagle Marcus Herbert tops the possession count with 20 first-half disposals.

The second half has begun at the MCG and Geelong have started with Patrick Dangerfield on the bench.

He is still in his playing kit, so there is still a chance he could take part in this game. But he looked to be in discomfort during the second term with a sore groin and was taken down to the rooms before the half-time siren for treatment.

The Cats have registered the first score of the third term. It is a behind to Shannon Neale, his first miss of the night after four first-half goals.

Just when you start counting the Cats out ...

Despite the relentless running of the Demons, Geelong have responded with clean, hard, contested football and straight kicking.

Shannon Neale has four straight and Chris Scott has managed to curtail both of Melbourne’s superstars; Kozzie Pickett managed only three handballs for the entirety of the second quarter, and Max Gawn is yet to take a mark and being tagged around the ground by Mark Blicavs.

Jack Steele continues to be a workhorse for the Demons. He has 14 disposals and four tackles so far.

There’s concerns for Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield.

He keeps grabbing at his groin and grimacing. Earlier he was getting attention on a calf, but now he seems to have issues higher up.

The medics have taken him down to the rooms to see if they can get him right.

For now, the Cats are coping well without him. They have taken a 20-point lead into the half-time break.

Scores were level deep into the second quarter before the Cats nailed three in a row – one to Shannon Neale (who has four), the next to Ollie Henry, before Ollie Wiltshire marked on the siren and kicked truly.

Melbourne are well in this match. Inaccuracy and two missed chances to exciting forward Latrell Pickett have proved costly. If they can straighten up, they can win.

HT: Cats 10.4 (64) lead the Dees 6.8 (44)

Shannon Neale is awarded a free kick and nails his fourth of the night. The Cats lead by a goal.

It is a silly infringement from Dees defender Tom McDonald. He does not need to grab Neale around the waist as they wait for the ball.

The umpires are going to pay that every time. And we mean, every time.

Geelong think they have hit the front, but the goal is overruled.

Cats crumber Oliver Wiltshire collects the ball off the deck, snaps the ball through the big sticks and celebrates thinking he has nailed a major.

But the replay shows the ball hitting the outstretched arm of Melbourne’s Tom McDonald. One behind.

As soon as the scores are level, Melbourne stream forward and Harrison Petty takes a chest mark and kicks a goal – his second for the night.

Barely a minute later, Geelong answer back. Tom Atkins handballs to Shaun Mannagh outside the 50-metre arc and he streams forward to nail the shot.

Demons 6.7 (43) level with the Cats 7.1 (43)

This game is a corker. Both sides are attacking through the corridor and the fans are better for it.

Let’s hope the coaches resist the urge to close it down after half-time.

The scores are level at the MCG – 37 points apiece – but it’s no thanks to Gryan Miers.

The small Geelong forward has not had a possession deep into the second term. That’s rare from him.

Thankfully for the Cats, Brad Close is having a ripper game. He has been busy up forward with nine disposals and has just kicked Geelong’s sixth.

Geelong’s lead is short-lived.

Melbourne has turned up the pressure and caused a turnover, allowing them to get the ball forward and into the hands of Bailey Laurie.

He marks 35 metres from goal on a slight angle and kicks truly.

As the ball sails through and the Demons players celebrate, we see Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield on the sidelines with the Cats trainers getting some work on his calf.

Let’s hope Danger is OK. This is a cracking game, and it will be better for having him back in the action.

Demons 5.7 (37) lead Cats 5.1 (31).

Tom Atkins has booted a goal for Geelong and the Cats have hit the front for the first time in this game, leading by two points.

They have ramped up the forward pressure and Melbourne are having trouble getting the ball out of their back half.

Still, they should not be letting Atkins hit the scoreboard. He’s a hardworking midfielder, not a polished forward. That’s his fourth goal of the year.

Cats 5.1 (31) lead Dees 4.5 (29)