AFL LIVE: Ahead of Dees clash, in-demand Cats assistant speaks on Blues, Dons roles

7.45pmTwo in a row for MelbourneBy The Demons have kicked a second. They booted the ball long into attack and forward Harrison Petty knocked it towards the goal square.He was then able to get a toe to the ball a millimetre before it crossed the line. Two goals to zip for the Dees.7.42pmWhere was Oisin?By Kysaiah Pickett has nailed the first goal for Melbourne.He received a handball from a stoppage and snapped truly from 20m.There was a lot of talk about Geelong tagger blanketing Pickett but he was lost in traffic.7.42pmBack to business for BucksBy The game is under way at the MCG - Melbourne versus Geelong at the MCG.Great to see Nathan Buckley getting back down to business before the game. He was disappointed to miss out on the Tasmania coaching job, but was all things Geelong as he worked with Shannon Neale in the warm-up.Nathan Buckley shakes hands with Shannon Neale.AFL Photos via Getty Images7.24pmKing wary of his Geelong historyBy Among the many fascinating storylines tonight is the fact that Steven King is coaching against his old side.King played in the Cats’ 2007 premiership side and then served as an assistant coach under Chris Scott.Melbourne coach Steven King is ready for the Friday night lights this week.AFL PhotosBut he is wary of overthinking the Geelong playing style.“The big danger tonight is probably me trying to over-coach what I know of Geelong,” he told Fox Footy.7.10pmMihocek finds new role with DemonsBy Injured forward Brody Mihocek is still a long way from returning to play after suffering a broken neck, but he continues to improve his movement as well as finding a role in the Melbourne coaching box.Mihocek was spotted on the MCG with the Melbourne playing group tonight as they warmed up for their crucial clash against Geelong. Brody Mihocek was caught in a tackle by former teammate Billy Frampton.AFL Photos“I started running today which was a positive and the last couple of weeks I have done a bit of gym,” Mihocek told Channel 7.“Anything I can do to get moving, and the main thing is being involved with the boys throughout the week and on game day. It makes me happy getting around everyone and at least getting some exercise in.”7.01pmSurprise, surprise – the Cats make a late changeBy You can set your pre-match watch to it – Geelong making a late change.The Cats have lost Sam De Koning to illness and have brought in Ollie Henry.There was some doubt surrounding Shaun Mannagh (hamstring), but he has been given the all-clear to take his place in the side.6.56pmKelly speaks about his coaching futureBy James Kelly says his pursuit of the Carlton coach role is “ticking along nicely”.The Geelong assistant is one of four key candidates in line for the vacant Blues role, alongside St Kilda senior assistant Corey Enright, Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham and caretaker coach Josh Fraser.James Kelly has become one of Geelong coach Chris Scott’s trusted assistants.AFL Photos“It’s ticking along OK,” Kelly told Fox Footy ahead of Geelong’s clash with Melbourne at the MCG tonight.“I spoke last week about just letting the process play out and let the club sort of, out of respect for them, just let them talk about it when, and I’ll talk about it, when the time’s right.6.53pmGeelong superstar agrees to 2027 dealBy Jake NiallGeelong and Patrick Dangerfield have agreed to a contract for 2027, confirming that the Cats’ superstar veteran will play on into his 20th AFL season.The Cats and their skipper have reached agreement on terms for a one-year deal for 2027, meaning Dangerfield will play on as he wished and push towards the 400-game mark, according to industry sources familiar with Dangerfield’s deal, speaking anonymously to discuss player contracts.Patrick Dangerfield is one of the best players of the modern era.AFL PhotosDangerfield was due to play his 15th game of 2026 on Friday night against the Demons and the 375th of his career, having surmounted a calf injury that saw him miss games from rounds two to five this season.Dangerfield needs four votes in the Brownlow Medal to become the highest polling player for that award in the game’s history, surpassing ex-teammate Gary Ablett (262 votes).Read the full story here6.53pmNicks criticised for his response to the booing sagaBy Mitch Brown – the AFL’s first openly bisexual male footballer – has slammed Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks’ post-match response to Crows fans’ booing of Isaac Quaynor as “horrible leadership” as the Magpies player admitted the crowd reaction confused him.The Crows and the AFL released statements on Friday afternoon denouncing the targeted booing of Quaynor, after he was jeered by large sections of the 50,109-strong crowd at Adelaide Oval for each of his 20 disposals on Thursday night.Matthew Nicks and Nathan van Berlo after the Crows’ loss.AFL PhotosCrows supporters also targeted Quaynor in last year’s qualifying final, a fortnight after he was the victim of a homophobic slur from Adelaide star Izak Rankine.Speaking on ABC radio on Friday morning, Brown described the booing as a version of homophobia, and did not believe Nicks’ post-match reaction did enough to condemn such behaviour.6.36pmHow the two teams line upBy The Demons have made five changes ahead of tonight’s game against Geelong at the MCG – three because of injury. The biggest hole to cover seems to be the loss of key defender Daniel Turner.MELBOURNEB: J.Bowey, J.Lever, L.CookeHB: T.Rivers, H.Petty, B.HowesC: E.Langdon, T.Sparrow, H.LangfordHF: B.Laurie, K.Chandler, H.SharpF: L.Pickett, J.van Rooyen, M.JeffersonR: M.Gawn, J.Steele, K.PickettI/C: K.Tholstrup, T.McDonald, B.Fritsch, P.Cross, J.FitzgeraldEMG: C.Salem, X.Taylor, M.HeathIN: L.Cooke, H.Petty, B.Laurie, T.McDonald, P.CrossOUT: C.Jiath (injured), D.Turner (injured), J.Melksham (omitted), C.Windsor (injured), M.Heath (omitted)GEELONGB: T.Stewart, C.O’Sullivan, S.De KoningHB: Z.Guthrie, J.Henry, L.HumphriesC: O.Dempsey, B.Smith, M.BlicavsHF: G.Miers, S.Mannagh, B.CloseF: P.Dangerfield, S.Neale, J.PolkinghorneR: M.Edwards, T.Atkins, O.MullinI/C: M.O’Connor, J.Clark, T.Bruhn, O.Wiltshire, J.WorpelEMG: O.Henry, J.Martin, J.BowesIN: M.Blicavs, T.BruhnOUT: M.Holmes (injured), O.Henry (managed)1 of 2