AFL LIVE: Speed thrills at Marvel as Pies take narrow lead over Roos; Schultz, Blamires out injured

Jack Buller had a horrible kick for goal to open the second half as his shot from the corridor went wide right and just went for a point.

A few minutes later, Larkey tried to find a teammate on the lead but instead found a Magpies defender.

Roos forward Jack Darling crashed through a pack and took down defender Billy Frampton, who gingerly got back to his feet.

We will see which side settles first.

Pies 48, Roos 42 with 13 mins to go in Q3.

The Magpies have had the knack all night of responding just when the Kangaroos had flexed their muscle.

That was the case in the second term, the Roos booting the opening two goals, only for the Magpies to hit back with two of their own.

A Paul Curtis goal then followed for the Kangaroos, only for the Magpies to respond through youngster Sam Swadling.

This counter-attacking encapsulates why this high-pressure contest is on a knife-edge at the main break.

Zac Banch has been great for the Roos in the first half but he could well regret rushing to attempt a running goal late in the term.

He took off and was almost caught as he kicked the ball, that level of pressure saw his shot go wide of the goals and the Pies lead at half-time.

It’s been a flowing game with lots of scoring chances although both sides have left some goals on the ground, including Tim Membrey who missed a shot just before the siren.

Roos midfielder Tom Blamires has been ruled out of the match due to concussion, his head smashed into the ground in a tackle earlier in the match.

Lachie Schultz has come back on the bench but out of the game with an ankle injury - there is ice on his ankle already.

Meanwhile, Sam Swadling has kicked a goal for the Pies after the Roos gave up another 50m penalty with Colby Mckerchar and Charlie Comden arguing over who should have stood on the mark.

Pies 48, Roos 40 with seven mins to go in Q2.

Paul Curtis has booted his second goal.

A few minutes earlier, Curtis, who has recently returned from a multi-match suspension, was shown wrestling with Harry Perryman from the Pies but he cooled down enough to find the footy and boot a goal.

As he did that, Lachie Schultz limped off the ground for the Pies. They can’t afford to be without his gut-running and pressure work in the forward line.

Roos 40, Pies 40 with 13 mins to go in Q2.

Pat Lipinski’s hard-running off the ball has paid dividends once again as he beat the Roos down the ground and his teammates found him open.

He went back and booted the goal.

Pies 40, Roos 34 with 14 mins to go in Q2.

By my rough count, it was about 12 seconds that the Roos held the lead for.

That was just long enough for the Pies to win the ball from the middle, power into the forward line and find Schulz who handballed to an open Dan McStay who booted the goal from close range.

Roos 34, Pies 34 with 15 mins to go in Q2.

Jack Darling marked a long kick and booted a goal to start the second term and the Roos took the ball from the Magpies during their next foray forward and Luke Parker’s intercept led to the Roos finding Zac Banch in the open and he booted a goal.

Roos 34, Pies 28 with 16 mins to go in Q2.

This was an entertaining first term, reinforced by the evenness of the key stats.

For the Kangaroos, considering how much this contest had been built up, it was important they began well.

They did.

Yes, Nick Larkey botched three shots at goal, but the skipper made amends with the one major. The midfield battle between jets Nick Daicos and Luke Davies-Uniacke, who have run together, at times, has been great to watch.

Each has - and will continue to - exert influence. Jy Simpkin and Dylan Stephens found plenty of the ball for the Kangaroos.

Veteran Magpie Steele Sidebottom rediscovered his groove, while Jeremy Howe’s ability to orchestrate a counter-attack ensured the Kangaroos were often under pressure.

The has been a fast-moving start as the Pies and Roos traded goals and errors for much of the term.

Unless Daicos and co fire up, this match could well stay tight right until the finish and neither side will want that.

Nick Larkey’s kicking will continue to be on the limelight after some bad misses.