Live half by half updates from Etihad Stadium.

Game 1: Melbourne v North Melbourne
Half 1
After a slow start from both teams, Jack Watts kicked the first goal of the match. North then hit back with threee consecutive goals through Lindsay Thomas, Ben Jacobs and Kieran Harper.

Youngster Jesse Hogan impressed up forward and kicked a major late in the first half to bring the margin back to nine points.
Melbourne 0.2.2 North Melbourne 1.2.2

Half 2
The intensity of both teams lifted throughout. David Rodan's quick hands were handy. Sharp-shooter Jeremy Howe was busy in attack, kicking back-to-back goals mid way through the second half.

Dean Kent had a shot after the siren and kicked truly. But it wasn't enough to get the Dees over the line, resulting in a two-point win to North Melbourne.


Game 2: Melbourne v Richmond
Half 1
After going down by two points to North Melbourne in the opening match, the Demons struggled in the first half of their second outing against Richmond.

Jack Riewoldt and Tyrone Vickery kicked the first two for the Tigers, but it wasn’t until the 16-minute mark before Jack Watts kicked Melbourne’s only major for the half. For the record, Watts also booted the red and blue’s opening goal in the earlier match.

Tiger Bachar Houli quickly replied with a booming nine-pointer, which pushed the margin out to 20 points at the break.

Defender Joel Macdonald, who didn’t play in the first match, had the equal most disposals (seven) in the first half.

Rich 1.2.5 (26) to Melb 0.1.0 (6)

Half 2
Just one goal was registered in the second half – courtesy of Jimmy Toumpas’ first official AFL goal at the two-minute mark.

Seven behinds were added, which therefore wasn’t enough for Melbourne to peg back the margin. Richmond’s impressive start resulted in a 15-point win.

Joel Macdonald had a team-high 12 touches, while Nathan Jones, Toumpas and Watts had eight each disposals.

Richmond 1.2.9 (30) d Melbourne 0.2.3 (15)