AFL LIVE: Magpies and Hawks blockbuster to heat up chilly MCG We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later. DismissSkip to sections navigationSkip to contentSkip to footer Our network Open NavigationMenu The Sydney Morning Herald The Sydney Morning Herald Search Site Show subsections Federal election 2025 Western Australia Show subsections Bulls N' Bears The economy Banking & finance Small business Show subsections North America Middle East South America Show subsections Western Australia Show subsections Domain Magazine Title Deeds Show subsections Rugby union Show subsections Tips & advice Show subsections Art & design Live reviews Show subsections Health & wellness Life & relationships Show subsections Destination guides Inspiration Reviews & advice Travel news Good Weekend Sunday Life Show subsections Super & retirement Planning & budgeting Environment Show subsections Conservation Climate change Sustainability Show subsections Video games PremiumSubscribe Today’s Paper Good Food Guide Daily Puzzles The Sydney Morning Herald Brisbane Times The Australian Financial Review Commercial Real Estate Advertisement AFL LIVE: Magpies and Hawks blockbuster to heat up chilly MCG By Scott Spits and Andrew Wu Updated May 30, 2025 — 7.18pmfirst published at 7.05pm Log in, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size 7.04pmBlockbuster clash: Ticketing latest 7.04pmThe pre-match snapshot 7.00pmGood evening and welcome Hide key posts Latest posts Latest posts Notable fan food feedback Take note, MCG types .... The making of a Pies star after 17 clubs knocked him back When Ned Long was informed that he was finished as a Hawthorn player – after just two seasons and five senior games – he contacted each of the 17 other AFL clubs, seeking another chance. He had hoped even for the opportunity to train with one of those 17 clubs, to be a “train-on” prospect – some of whom are given a life jacket as a rookie-listed player. None were interested. Zero out of 17, Collingwood included, despite Long’s 194-centimetre frame, work ethic and running capacity. “It was really tough,” said Long of that period after the 2023 season at the Hawks. “Yeah, I did message every club. “Then obviously [my] manager, Nick Gieschen [from Connors Sports Management], he was contacting all the clubs and trying to find something.” Squeezed out at Hawthorn because of that club’s plethora of physical inside midfielders, Long’s first hope – a shot at continuing in the AFL – was dusted. So he turned to plan B. Collingwood’s Ned Long has the chance to prove every club in the AFL wrong – even the Pies.Credit: Eddie Jim Read more from JAKE NIALL Some of the MCG scenes Scott Pendlebury and goal umpire David Rodan.Credit: via Getty Images Fans queue to enter the MCG ahead of the round 12 clash.Credit: AFL Photos / Getty Images Advertisement Blockbuster clash: Ticketing latest The pre-match snapshot It’s a compelling Friday night clash – a showdown between arguably Victoria’s two best teams (Geelong, naturally, have their own claims there). Hawthorn, however, have had a mini-slump with back-to-back losses to Gold Coast (in Darwin) and the Brisbane Lions last week at the MCG. Both those opponents are formidable so the Hawks can still look proudly to their 7-4 record. Good evening and welcome AFL round 12 continues with the blockbuster clash between Collingwood and Hawthorn at the MCG, a huge match that comes 24 hours after the Brisbane Lions were pushed all the way by Essendon at the Gabba. Quirkily, tonight’s game is the only one this round being played in Victoria. In the first round of the AFL’s mid-season bye period, there are several other games being played in the “northern states”, including a game in Alice Springs on Sunday. Most Viewed in Sport Advertisement Back to top The Sydney Morning Herald The Sydney Morning Herald Brisbane Times The Australian Financial Review Classifieds Place your ad Commercial Real Estate The Sydney Morning Herald Contact & support Advertise with us Newsletters Accessibility guide Photo sales Purchase front pages Content licensing Work with us Terms of use Privacy policy Press Council Charter of Editorial Independence AI Editorial Guidelines Products & Services Subscription packages Subscriber FAQs Delivery status Today’s Paper Good Food Guide Daily Puzzles Copyright © 2025