AFL 2021 LIVE updates Lightning stops play as Demons dominate Eagles Hurn and Hunt injured

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How about this. There is lightning in the area so the game has been briefly stopped with 15:53 left in the game.

Melbourne still in front by 33 points, 10.9.69 to 5.6.36.

Hard to see the Eagles coming back into this now after that power-packed third term by the Demons, who kicked five goals and really put their hosts to the sword.

Jake Melksham and Ben Brown the sharp shooters, but James Harmes has worked hard all night as has Jake Bowey.

Alex Neal-Bullen.Credit:Getty Images

The Demons go bang with the last four goals of the game to take a commanding 32-point lead at three-quarter time.

West Coast were gallant for a quarter or so, but the big gulf in class between the two sides has been laid bare now.

Despite having fewer inside 50s (30-31), the Demons have played these conditions magnificently, and have been far more efficient with seven more scoring shots (18-11).

The visitors are also on top in hitouts 24-19 and clearances 23-22.

West Coast 2.0, 4.5, 5.6 (36)
Melbourne 4.2, 5.3, 10.8 (68)

GOALS
West Coast: Cripps 2, Kennedy, Darling, Redden
Melbourne: B.Brown 3, Neal-Bullen 2, Melksham 2, Petracca, Pickett, Harmes

DISPOSALS
West Coast: Kelly 24, Sheed 22, Redden 21
Melbourne: Oliver 23, Petracca 22, Harmes 20

INTERCEPTS
West Coast: Witherden 7, McGovern 6
Melbourne: Lever 10, Rivers 8, Bowey 6

Steven May spoils a mark attemptCredit:Getty Images

Kennedy has spent more than 23 minutes off the ground having a knee injury attended to.

The Eagles havenâ€™t pulled the sub trigger, and the big key forward returns to the field finally.

And boy do West Coast need him because this game is slowly slipping away from their grasp.

Thanks to back-to-back goals from Melksham, the Demons are now out to a game-high 26-point lead with 3:45 left in the third quarter, 9.8.62 to 5.6.36.

Melksham, Neal-Bullen and Ben Brown all have two goals each for the Demons.

Back-to-back goals from Harmes and Melksham put the Demons right back in the driverâ€™s seat and cancel out much of the good work the Eagles had done since quarter-time.

Melkshamâ€™s goal, in particular, was outstanding - a snap set shot from a severe angle in the pocket.

Melbourne are now back out to a 19-point lead with 6:24 left in the third term, 8.7.55 to 5.6.36.

Former Adelaide captain Taylor Walker has delivered an emotional apology in a video alongside Robbie Young for the â€œpain, hurt and disappointmentâ€ he caused when racially abusing the SANFL player, admitting he has much work to do before he regains respect and trust. Click here to read the full story.

Taylor Walker alongside Robbie Young.

The Eagles are dominating the uncontested marks early in this third quarter 10-1, but havenâ€™t been able to make inroads into the half-time deficit as Melbourne lead by six points, 6.5.41 to 5.5.35.

Neal-Bullen joins Ben Brown as a multiple goalkicker for the Demons.

Carlton co-captain Sam Docherty has revealed his testicular cancer has recurred, telling his social media followers â€œlife has thrown another curveball my wayâ€. Click here to read the full story.

Sam Docherty.Credit:Getty Images

As both teams take a breath at half-time, why donâ€™t you travel back to 2018 and check out a classic clash between Melbourne and West Coast that ended with a famous win for the Demons?

A big goal just as the siren sounded for Kysaiah Pickett to put Melbourne back in front.

It looked as though they would go to the long break having surrendered their quarter-time lead in what had become an arm wrestle of a game after Jack Darling and Jamie Cripps had helped the hosts get their noses in front.

Itâ€™s still anyoneâ€™s game and the rewards for the victor are great, as the Demons would go top of the table with a win, while the Eagles would almost cement their spot in the top eight with four points.