AFL LIVE: Daicos involved in a scuffle early, then slots stunning goal at a packed MCG

Roy WardUpdated August 28, 2026 — 8:03pm,first published 6:37pmKey Posts8.03pmWest poaches a goalBy Magpies forward Charlie West has shown he is a fox in the box, as they call them in soccer, after he created a goal out of nothing.With the ball bouncing into the goal square, West slid his foot onto the ball and put through the legs of Buku Khamis and into the goals.Khamis was shown looking at the scoreboard replay to see what happened.“Buku still doesn’t know what happened,” Garry Lyon said on Kayo Sports.Pies 18, Dogs 13 with seven mins to go in Q1.8.00pmEarly analysis from the MCGBy Collingwood’s second goal won’t count as a turnover from half-back, but it was an errant handball from the Bulldogs’ half-forward line that allowed the Pies to take the ball the length of the ground.They defended the first foray but not the second – Nick Daicos kicking a trademark goal from just inside 50.The Dogs responded immediately through Aaron Naughton. It’s a touch early to be conclusive with the match trend, but the Dogs need to be careful not to turn the ball over at half-back, because the Pies look red-hot when they can move the ball at speed with waves of runners through the middle.7.57pmDaicos punishes Dogs; Naughton repliesBy The Bulldogs rushed a kick out of defence, and it fell to Nick Daicos, 55 metres from goal.He then blasted a long, running goal in stunning scenes.Nick Daicos of the Magpies warms up.Getty Images“It’s an exquisite finish,” Jason Dunstall said on Kayo Sports.“His ability to kick across his body from 50m out is something else.”But the Dogs won the ball from the restart and found Naughton who marked and then goaled.Dogs 13, Pies 12 with 10 mins to go in Q1.7.51pmKennedy on targetBy Bulldogs star Matt Kennedy has pushed forward and marked a quality pass from Aaron Naughton.The midfielder went back and booted his 11th goal of the season.Dogs 7, Pies 6 with 13 mins to go in Q1.Western Bulldogs players line up pregame.Getty Images7.45pmMagpies kick trulyBy Dan McStay has finished off an excellent counterattack from the Magpies who had Billy Frampton intercept at centre-half back before Sam Swadling and Lachie Schultz combined to find McStay on the lead.He marked and then went back and booted the goal.Pies 6, Dogs 0 with 17 mins to go in Q1.7.44pmThe scene from the MCGBy The crowd has built up in the past half hour. I reckon there’d be 80,000 plus in the stadium now.Players could not have asked for a better August night for football – clear skies and no wind.The Pies are in the white shorts as the lower-ranked team, even though they enjoy all the fruits of being the higher-ranked club in that they have the longer break and are playing at their home ground.The Dogs are primed for finals footy after a strong end to the season. The Pies have been hit by injury at the wrong time. I’m tipping the Dogs in a close one.7.38pmThe teams run outBy The teams have run out to a huge roar and the Welcome to Country and national anthems have been done and sung.The game is just minutes away now.Nick Daicos of the Magpies leads out the team.AFL PhotosMarcus Bontempelli leads the Bulldogs out at the MCG.AFL Photos7.31pmListen: The Real Footy tipping podcastBy 7.30pmMcRae backs finals rookies, De Goey to lift for PiesBy Magpies coach Craig McRae has backed his finals rookies to stand up in a must-win MCG clash tonight.“We have six or seven debutants tonight in terms of finals experience – it’s a good chance for them to show their wares,” McRae told Kayo Sports.Sam Swadling of the Magpies warms up.Getty Images“I’m probably a bit more relaxed than they are.”McRae also backed Jordan De Goey to lift as he has in previous finals matches.“It’s almost likes he sits all year dormant, waiting for a [finals] opportunity,” McRae said.“He’s had a good year, but he always finds a way to lift when the finals come around.”1 of 2