AFL LIVE: Wizard weaves some MCG magic as Hawks fight back against Pies

Darcy Cameron has gone to the rooms with an apparent right leg issue. Replay footage shows the ruckman clutching his knee.

Pies will be sweating on his availability because his partner-in-crime Oscar Steene hasn’t been at his best tonight.

Meanwhile, Nick Daicos appeared to also be getting treatment on his leg, lying down on a towel as a physio worked.

Bang, bang, bang.

There’s been three goals in quick succession at the MCG. First was Collingwood’s Will Hayes with a running snap. But then there was Nick Watson again followed by another for Hawthorn.

But Collingwood will not be denied with another snap from Daniel McStay.

It’s raining goals at the ’G.

That’s the siren and the second half is under way.

Dan Houston is the leading ball-winner on the ground with 15 disposals so far, but Nick Watson and Jack Ginnivan are looking equally impressive tonight.

Collingwood’s Harry Perryman was on Watson previously, but came off the field after suffering a hamstring injury.

Speaking of magic, Watson tries to recreate some wizardry with a flying shot on goal early in the third quarter, but it goes wide.

Collingwood have confirmed defender Harry Perryman (right hamstring) is out for the game, which seemed the case when he hobbled off late in the first half and went straight to the back row on the bench.

He had spent time on dangerous Hawks forward Nick Watson.

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 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...

Nick Watson has worked some much-needed magic, speeding towards goal, dodging multiple players and drilling it through from an angle to give the Hawthorn fans at the MCG something to cheer about.

Moments later, Hawthorn gets another free kick and it goes to Jai Newcombe, who surely can’t miss he’s that close…

He kicks truly and that’s three in a row for Hawthorn. Suddenly, the margin is five points and Collingwood’s explosive start seems far away.

Half-time score: Collingwood lead 7.3 (45) to Hawthorn 5.10 (40)

Update: Harry Perryman came off during the second quarter and appears to be clutching his right hamstring. We will bring you more details shortly.

There’s plenty of theatre tonight and the MCG crowd – mainly the Pies supporters – are making their displeasure known over a controversial free kick.

It was awarded against Oscar Steene for a push in the back. It goes to Ned Reeves, but the kick goes left and through for a behind.

Ruckman Ned Reeves wrestled his way through a pack of Pies to mark a ball and keep Hawthorn in contention, kicking in front of the goalsquare to boot another goal for the Hawks.

The Pies still look like the quicker and better team at the moment, and have kicked truly all night with only a one-point blemish.

Jack Ginnivan has lifted his side with a much-needed goal, and gives the crowd a grin and a fist pump.

That’s Hawthorn’s first goal since the first few minutes of the first quarter – and it’s essential.

But Collingwood seem to have all the answers, much to the chagrin of Sam Mitchell, who is gesturing dramatically in the coaches’ box.

Jack Buller boots his first goal for the Pies and pushes the margin even further.

With 10 minutes to go, the Pies lead by 23 points.

That’s another goal for Collingwood, and Hawthorn, as Fox Footy commentators note, appear to still be asleep.

Jamie Elliott hands off to a running Brayden Maynard and kicks truly to make it six goals in a row for the Pies.

Inaccuracy continues to haunt the Hawks in the second quarter with another missed shot, from Josh Weddle, who sprays it awkwardly on an angle.

Hawthorn are missing some pretty gettable shots. That’s eight behinds and we’re only in the second quarter.

Score: Collingwood lead 6.1 (37) to Hawthorn 1.8 (14)