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AFL 2024: Live updates and SuperCoach scores for Super Sunday, round 24

Fremantle could have knocked Carlton out of the finals in the last round, but the Dockers planted the seeds of their own destruction all the way back in April.

Higgins' ABSURD snap breaks Blues hearts

A controversial dissent free kick against Docker Jordan Clark cost Fremantle much more than four points.

The call, back in Gather Round in April, handed Carlton a dramatic win. That’s the same Carlton that just held onto eighth spot by the skin of its teeth and denied the Dockers a spot in the finals.

To recap, Fremantle led by two points with just under 90 seconds to play before a kick from George Hewett landed in the arms of teammate Matthew Cottrell roughly 30m from goal, directly in front.The only issue was, Hewett’s kick had brushed the shoulder of Fremantle defender James Aish.

Docker defenders pleaded with the umpires as Cottrell slotted his set shot, and Clark took his protest too far, costing the Dockers a free kick that Matthew Kennedy happily took advantage of. Game over.

Almost five months later, that finish has had even more remarkable consequences.

Carlton claimed the final spot in the top eight after a crazy finish to a crazy 2024 home-and-away season.

The Blues had the chance to lock in a September berth when they hit the front against St Kilda with less than 90 seconds left – only to see the win snatched away by a miracle Jack Higgins goal with just 12 seconds on the clock.

Carlton fans then had to wait for the result of the last game of the season, knowing a Fremantle win would knock them out of the finals. The result was in doubt until the final minutes, but the Dockers fell short against a Port Adelaide team that clinched a top-two finish and a home final.

Earlier, the Western Bulldogs claimed sixth spot with a victory over GWS. The Dogs will face Hawthorn, which confirmed its return to finals for the first time since 2018 with a huge win against North Melbourne on Saturday.

Recap all Sunday’s action and SuperCoach analysis below.

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8:58pm: FULL TIME SUPERCOACH LEADERS

Big final quarters from Zak Butters and Caleb Serong, while Luke Ryan was fantastic yet again.

Luke Jackson finished with 90 points ... will it be enough for Nathan, who was leading the race for $50,000 going into round 24? We’ll find out when lockout lifts!

Full-time DOckers v Power SuperCoach leaders.
Full-time DOckers v Power SuperCoach leaders.

8.44pm: PORT WIN, BLUES ARE IN

Epic relief for Carlton fans about three hours after suffering heartbreak at Marvel Stadium.

A win against St Kilda would have locked the Blues into the top eight but after a Jack Higgins goal with 13 seconds left, Carlton had to pin its hopes on Port Adelaide. And the Power fulfilled its end of the bargain, finally breaking the Dockers’ resistence in the final minutes of the last quarter in Perth.

Two goals from Willie Rioli in the final term and a sealer to Jordon Sweet were enough to lock Port Adelaide into a top-two finish and a home final.

Mitch Georgiades celebrates a Power goal. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Mitch Georgiades celebrates a Power goal. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images

8:36pm: WILLIE RIOLI BREAKS FREO HEARTS

Carlton fans have a new favourite player. Willie Rioli swoops on a loose ball in the goal square to kick his second of the final quarter and put Port Adelaide 14 points clear.

Fremantle’s finals hopes are fading fast. Is there one final crazy twist in this epic season?

8:35pm: FIVE MINUTE WARNING

Port by eight points. Carlton is in the eight ... for now.

What a finish!

8:29pm: YOUNG BATTLING INJURY

Hayden Young has returned to the field after spending several minutes on the bench with a calf concern.

One of the Dockers’ best today, he’s playing on in a bid to keep Fremantle’s season alive, but he looks a fair way off 100 per cent.

Port Adelaide leads by eight points with eight minutes left.

8:21pm: DOCKERS CLOSE GAP

How would you like to be a Fremantle or Carlton fan right now?

Patrick Voss kicks a goal to cut the margin to just three points with plenty of time left.

Forgive the language but this sums up the feeling!

8:10pm: THREE QUARTER-TIME

Port Adelaide leads by nine points with a quarter to play in the home-and-away season.

On the live ladder Carlton is in the eight and the Dockers miss out, but a lot can happen in the next 30 minutes.

Good luck in your SuperCoach grand finals!

Three quarter-time Dockers v Power SuperCoach leaders.
Three quarter-time Dockers v Power SuperCoach leaders.

PORT FACES FINALS INJURY CRISIS

– Eliza Reilly

Port Adelaide faces another selection headache ahead of its first final after losing defender Kane Farrell to a hamstring injury against Fremantle.

It threatened to be an even bigger toll for the Power when Aliir Aliir went down with an ankle injury in the second quarter. But the key defender was able to return after undergoing treatment during the halftime break.

Farell is all but certain to miss Port’s first final after suffering a hamstring injury in the second quarter.

The 25-year-old looked distraught as he came to the bench, burying his head in his hands as he took a seat next to Ollie Wines. Farrell was subbed out a few minutes later.

A regulation hamstring injury would put Farrell on track to return in three weeks, week two of the finals series.

Aliir slipped and landed awkwardly behind play as the Dockers went inside 50 and struggled to get back to his feet. The 29-year-old had to be helped from the ground by trainers but he started the second half on the field and looked unencumbered.

Combined with Dan Houston’s suspension, Port will test its depth in a fortnight.

7:52pm: ACTION JACKSON

Good news for SuperCoach leader Nathan, but not for Carlton – Luke Jackson has gone up a few gears.

He took a huge contested mark and missed, then got a free kick 50m out and handballed to a teammate, then finally made the Power pay with another free from a marking contest in the goal square.

He’s up to 62 SuperCoach points and the margin is eight points – way too close for comfort for Carlton fans.

7:44pm: PORT FIRES UP

Port Adelaide has come out after halftime with all guns blazing, leading inside-50s 8-0 and kicking two quick goals to open up a handy break. Jason Horne-Francis has been the prime mover, jumping to 65 SuperCoach points.

Carlton’s finals hopes are rising as Port looks to lock in a top-two finish and a home final.

7:20pm: HALFTIME

Port Adelaide leads by one point – and the Blues are clinging to eighth spot by the tips of their fingernails.

The Dockers are leading almost every stat category and dominate the SuperCoach leaderboard at halftime.

The only man more nervous than Carlton or Freo fans right now is SuperCoach leader Nathan – he needs Luke Jackson (29) to lift!

Halftime Dockers v Power SuperCoach leaders.
Halftime Dockers v Power SuperCoach leaders.

7:16: PORT INJURY SCARE (2)

Kane Farrell is in trouble on the boundary line with what looks like a hamstring injury.

7:07pm: RYAN GOES WHACK

Who says Luke Ryan only accumulates SuperCoach points from backwards kicks?

Mitch Georgiades felt the full force of this tackle.

7:05pm: PORT INJURY SCARE

Aliir Aliir is hobbling off with the trainers in what would be a huge blow for the Power on the eve of the finals.

7:01pm: PORT FIGHTS BACK, BLUES ALIVE

Carlton’s chances of hanging onto eighth spot are rising as Port Adelaide starts the second quarter with a bang.

6.50pm: DOCKERS TAKE EARLY ASCENDENCY

It’s the perfect start for the Dockers, with an eight-point buffer at the first change.

We’ve had a brief power outage on the blog thanks to lightning, but the Dockers’ pressure and intensity is as high as we’ve seen for weeks.

Heath Chapman has had 11 touches and Nathan O’Driscoll 10 in the opening 30 minutes, with Sam Switkowski missing a gettable shot at goal four minutes in.

From a SuperCoach perspective, Luke Ryan is back with a half-century in one quarter of football, while Andrew Brayshaw is on 47 but Caleb Serong has just 19 points.

Zak Butters has 30 and Connor Rozee 31.

Live ladder update: If the margin stands Freo takes eighth spot, knocking Carlton out of the finals.

Quarter-time DOckers v Power SuperCoach leaders.
Quarter-time DOckers v Power SuperCoach leaders.

6:30pm: BAD NEWS BLUES

Patrick Voss kicks Fremantle’s fourth goal and they have a 14-point lead midway through the first term.

The Dockers are in the eight on the live ladder.

6:13pm: PORT STRIKES FIRST

The first goal of the game goes to Carlton ... sorry, Port Adelaide, via Darcy Byrne-Jones.

Hayden Young sends the Dockers forward. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images
Hayden Young sends the Dockers forward. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

6:10pm: SUPERCOACH DECIDER

It isn’t just Freo and Carlton fans riding a wave of emotions over the next two-and-a-half hours. This match will decide thousands of SuperCoach grand finals, and the $50,000 grand prize.

Overall leader Nathan’s team includes Luke Ryan, Luke Jackson, Zak Butters and Caleb Serong.

Joven, who is hot on his heels, has Hayden Young, Jordan Clark, after his uniques Rowan Marshall and Jack Sinclair both performed strongly in the last game.

May the best man win!

6:00pm: BLUES v SAINTS SUPERCOACH LEADERS

A monster game from Sam Walsh – 32 disposals, 16 contested possessions, eight tackles, nine clearances.

Nic Newman had 32 touches while Rowan Marshall continued his hot finish to 2024.

Full-time Blues v Saints SuperCoach leaders.
Full-time Blues v Saints SuperCoach leaders.

5:55pm: SAINTS WIN

Wow, what an insane finish.

Fremantle fans are jumping for joy and it’s shattering for Carlton, but they aren’t out of the finals – yet.

The season will go down to the final game. If Fremantle win, it finishes eighth. If the Dockers lose, Carlton is in.

Wow.

5:53: HOLY MOLY

Jack Higgins has kicked a goal to put St Kilda back in front with TWELVE SECONDS LEFT.

5:45pm: BLUES IN FRONT

Jesse Motlop gives Carlton the lead with six minutes to play.

Fremantle fans are now the ones with their hearts in their stomachs.

5:41pm: BLUES SUPER SUB STRIKES

Carlton’s starting substitute Ashton Moir cuts the margin to two points in his second AFL game.

More has been in the game for 15 minutes after being subbed on for Jack Carroll.

Nine minutes to play. Oh boy.

5:35pm: THIS IS TENSE

We have played seven minutes in the final term and Carlton has scored two behinds while the Saints haven’t added to their three quarter-time score.

The margin is seven points. Sam Walsh has 119 SuperCoach points.

5:21pm: THREE QUARTER-TIME

How’s the heart rate, Blues fans?

The margin is nine points St Kilda’s way with a quarter to play. Win and Carlton is guaranteed a finals spot. Lose and they can still make it, but it will be a hellish few hours waiting to see if Port Adelaide can knock Fremantle out of the running.

Nic Newman is the SuperCoach star of the day so far, but Sam Walsh, Jack Steele and Jack Sincalri have all been brilliant.

Patrick Cripps broke free after opponent Liam Stocker was subbed off injured.

Three quarter-time Blues v Saints SuperCoach leaders.
Three quarter-time Blues v Saints SuperCoach leaders.

5:18pm: PORT LATE CHANGE

Charlie Dixon (illness) is a late out for Port Adelaide in the final game of the day. He has been replaced by Dante Visentini.

The starting subs are Francis Evans (Port Adelaide) and Michael Walters (Fremantle).

5.10pm: MARGIN FLUCTUATING

Patrick Cripps is doing all he can to drag Carlton to finals, with the Blues back within eight points.

Matt Owies has converted a set shot for back-to-back goals but it’s been all Cripps for the Blues.

He’s had five clearances and been in everything, but has given away a controversial free kick to former Blue Paddy Dow on the 50m arc, with Dow converting to push the margin back to 14 points.

5.00pm SAINTS PINCH ONE BACK

After a low-scoring first half of the quarter, we’ve had three goals in the space of a few minutes.

Orazio Fantasia gave Blues fans something to cheer about after a scintilating coast-to-coast goal, but Zak Jones nabbed one back for the Saints a minute later.

With eight minutes left in the third quarter, the Saints are up by 20 points and Carlton’s season was teetering on the brink.

From the next centre bounce, George Hewett got the ball forward with Blake Acres getting on the end of it and putting it through.

Orazio Fantasia could be an unlikely hero for Carlton. Picture: Michael Klein
Orazio Fantasia could be an unlikely hero for Carlton. Picture: Michael Klein

4.30pm: BLUES STILL STRUGGLING

The Blues haven’t been able to make inroads in the opening five minutes of the third term at Docklands, with St Kilda’s backline holding firm despite plenty of forays forward.

Tim Membrey has extended the lead to 14 points after a lead into the pocket.

The Blues now have just 35 minutes left to keep their season alive.

4.35pm: FAN FACING LIFE BAN

The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph has reported on FoxFooty that the fan who threw the bottle at a goal umpire is facing a life ban from attending AFL games.

The umpire left the ground bleeding after the incident, with Ralph confirming the AFL was investigating and had enough cameras at the ground to identify the patron.

He said they were not a member of the Carlton cheer squad and immediately left the ground.

“The AFL is not mucking about on this one, it’s absolutely unacceptable in any way to take out your anger, even with a 12-1 free kick count,” Ralph said.

He said the AFL hadn’t indicated what sort of action they would take but Ralph speculated a lifetime ban was incoming.

AFL umpire being hit by a bottle

4:25pm: HALFTIME

Phew, let’s take a breath – and check in on SuperCoach, which became a bit of an afterthought among all the drama that quarter.

In short, all the big names are going well.

Live ladder update: If Carlton can’t reverse St Kilda’s lead in a low-scoring contest, it will be relying on Port Adelaide beating Fremantle in Perth to play finals. No wonder things are tense!

Halftime Blues v Saints SuperCoach leaders.
Halftime Blues v Saints SuperCoach leaders.

4:10pm: UGLY UMPIRE INCIDENT

A goal umpire is off the field being looked at by medicos for bleeding after being struck by a plastic bottle thrown from the crowd. He has been replaced on field by back-up goal ump Chelsea Roffey.

That is not what we want to see.

Brian Taylor sums it up on commentary: “That is just nothing short of disgraceful.”

Alister Nicholson: “The most disappointing aspect of the goal umpire incident is it appeared to come from the Carlton cheer squad area.”

Goal umpire hit in the head by water bottle

4:05pm: FREE KICK ST KILDA?

It’s very tense at Marvel Stadium as the Blues retake the lead through Jaxon Binns.

And fans are taking it out on the umpires as the Saints lead the free kick count 12-1!

4:03pm: MATTAES MAGIC

Mattaes Philippou sends a set shot from 25m out straight out on the full, but makes up for it minutes later with a brilliant left-foot snap goal.

Put him on your SuperCoach watch list for 2025.

3:57pm: PITTO’S PARTY TRICK

How did Marc Pittonet kick this?

3:50pm: QUARTER-TIME

George Hewett (10 disposals and a goal) and Sam Walsh (10 disposals) have been in everything early, while Jack Sinclair, Rowan Marshall and Mattaes Phillipou have all made strong starts for the Saints.

Live ladder update: If the Saints maintain this lead to the final siren Carlton will be barracking hard for Port Adelaide in the final game – if the Dockers win and Carlton lose, Fremantle will overtake Carlton for eighth spot.

Quarter-time Blues v Saints SuperCoach leaders.
Quarter-time Blues v Saints SuperCoach leaders.

3:47pm: HIGH HIT FIRES UP BLUES

Dan Butler is the centre of the storm after clipping Alex Cincotta across the head with a late spoil.

He gives up a 50m penalty but Blues fans aren’t happy with the umpires so far – the free kick count is 8-1 St Kilda’s way.

3:36pm: WALSH ON FIRE

Sam Walsh has nine disposals already and six contested possessions to race to 28 SuperCoach points. Patrick Cripps has won only one more disposals since that brilliant clearance from the first centre bounce of the game, he has four SuperCoach points.

3:21pm: BLUES ON THE BOARD

Carlton has the first goal against the Saints after just 29 seconds.

Patrick Cripps won the first centre clearance and George Hewett finished off the good work with a banana snap, and Blues fans went bananas. They’re eighth on the live ladder!

George Hewett celebrates the first goal. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
George Hewett celebrates the first goal. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

3:10pm: DOGS WILL PLAY FINALS

The Western Bulldogs win by 37 points, locking in sixth spot on the ladder.

Lachie Whitfield finishes the SuperCoach season with 41 disposals and 151 points while Marcus Bontempelli registers his 20th score over 100 in another brilliant year.

Marcus Bontempelli and the Dogs will be playing in September. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Marcus Bontempelli and the Dogs will be playing in September. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Full-time Dogs v Giants SuperCoach leaders.
Full-time Dogs v Giants SuperCoach leaders.

2:53pm: DID NAUGHTON KICK DOGS INTO THE EIGHT?

Aaron Naughton goals and the Dogs are 17 points clear with 10 minutes left.

Marcus Bontempelli – of course – was instrumental in the build-up. He’s now on 99 SuperCoach points, with Tim English, Ed Richards and Caleb Daniel all in the 90s.

2:47pm: NERVOUS DOGS

An early Ed Richards goal put one foot in the top eight for the Dogs but Toby Greene has answered to keep things too close for comfort for Bulldogs fans. It’s a two-goal game with 13 minutes to play.

If the Dogs lose they will be relying on one of Carlton or Fremantle losing to play finals.

2:40pm: BLUES LATE CHANGE

Mitch McGovern won’t play in Carlton’s clash against St Kilda. He has been replaced in the selected side by Orazio Fantasia.

The starting subs are Ashton Moir (Carlton) and Hugo Garcia (St Kilda).

2:35pm: THREE QUARTER-TIME

A goal after the siren from Toby Greene gives the Giants a sniff, trailing by 11 points at the final change, but the Dogs will come home with the wind.

Lachie Whitfield has brought his own footy – he has 32 disposals already plus nine marks, while Bailey Dale has 24 for the Dogs.

Just 63 points at three quarter-time for Tom Green but in a blast from the past Jack Macrae has 86.

Live ladder check-in – if the Dogs win they will finish sixth and face Hawthorn in an elimination final. That would leave Carlton and Fremantle fighting for eighth spot.

Three quarter-time Dogs v Giants SuperCoach leaders.
Three quarter-time Dogs v Giants SuperCoach leaders.

2:18pm: GIANTS ACTIVATE SUB

Callum Brown is into the game, replacing Harvey Thomas (tactical).

2:05pm: BONT GOES BANG

After a six-minute arm wrestle to start the third quarter who else but Marcus Bontempelli to break the game open after getting on the end of a chain of handballs and kicking truly from 40m – into the breeze.

He now has 69 SuperCoach points, second-most of any Bulldog.

Bailey Dale has already cracked the ton while Lachie Whitfield will at any moment.

1:42pm: HALFTIME

The Dogs made the most of the Ballarat breeze and go into halftime with a 17-point lead, and one foot in the top eight.

Lachie Whitfield has a crazy 25 disposals while Bailey Dale has 17 at 88 per cent efficiency including a booming goal.

Marcus Bontempelli lifted that quarter but spent time on the bench after a head clash and goes into the main break with 11 disposals (nine contested) and 50 SuperCoach points.

Tom Green has 41 from 19 disposals and a goal, with an efficiency of 42 per cent really hurting him. A holding the ball free against right on the siren didn’t help, either.

Halftime Dogs v Giants SuperCoach leaders.
Halftime Dogs v Giants SuperCoach leaders.

1:25pm: BONT INJURY ALERT

Marcus Bontempelli is taking a rest after what looked like a clash of heads with Tom Green – we’ll keep a close eye on that one.

Meanwhile, Green kicks the Giants’ first goal of the second term with his 17th disposal of the game.

Only eight of those have hit the target, leaving him sitting on 40 SuperCoach points.

UPDATE: Bont is back out there. Phew ... for now.

1:20pm: DOGS DOMINATING

Sam Darcy has his second and the Dogs are sitting comfortably in sixth on the ladder – and looking forward ot an elimination final against Hawthorn.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves but they have totally taken over in the second term, kicking 5.3 to nothing in less than 10 minutes!

1:15pm: BONT WARMING UP

The Dogs get a third for the term from Ed Richards after a big clearance win and assist from Marcus Bontempelli. All of a sudden he has 39 SuperCoach points.

And catching up on an early sub, Arthur Jones is on the field replacing Laitham Vandermeer (hamstring).

1:11pm: DALE FROM DOWNTOWN

The Bulldogs open the second term with two goals as Sam Darcy kicks his first for the day and Bailey Dale uses the Ballarat wind to his advantage after taking an intercept mark 55m from goal.

He shoots to 58 points and the Dogs are in front – and locked into the top eight on the live ladder!

1:03pm: QUARTER-TIME

The dangrous tackle from Liam Jones hasn’t had a big impact on Aaron Cadman – he just kicked a brilliant banana goal after the siren to give the Giants an 11-point lead at quarter-time.

It’s hard going in Ballarat in glorious sunshine but strong, gusty winds, but defenders Lachie Whitfield and Bailey Dale are off to hot starts in SuperCoach.

Quarter-time Dogs v Giants SuperCoach leaders.
Quarter-time Dogs v Giants SuperCoach leaders.

12:55pm: BONT’S QUIET START

The late withdrawal of GWS tagger Toby Bedford with calf soreness appeared to open the door for a massive afternoon for Marcus Bontempelli. But the Dogs skipper is taking a while to warm up, with just three disposals (one effective) late in the opening term for 13 SuperCoach points.

Lachie Whitfield leads all players with 13 disposals while Bailey Dale (eight disposals, one tackle) has made a strong start for the Dogs.

Marcus Bontempelli wins the ball out of the middle. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Marcus Bontempelli wins the ball out of the middle. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

12:35pm: DOG’S DANGROUS TACKLE’

– Josh Barnes

Western Bulldogs pillar Liam Jones faces a nervous wait should his side qualify for finals after a dangerous tackle on GWS youngster Aaron Cadman.

Full-back Jones took hold of Cadman’s right arm and drove the Giant into the turf, while Cadman’s left arm was holding the football.

With both arms in use, Cadman could not break his fall and his head appeared to hit the turf.

The GWS forward did not go from the field, and kicked a goal moments later following a free kick against Jones.

Dual All-Australian defender David King told Fox Footy that Jones could be facing a fine given Cadman didn’t appear hampered.

“He (Cadman) takes possession, bang. Slung into the ground,” King said.

“He doesn’t have both arms pinged, it is a slinging motion. Does his head hit the ground?”

Should the Dogs make it into the top eight, Jones could face a ban, but players have often survived suspensions if the opponent was not concussed from the tackle.

Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield was initially handed a one-game ban after a round 15 tackle on Sam Walsh but he successfully challenged that call at the tribunal and avoided suspension.

Walsh was not concussed in that incident.

12:30pm: DOGS’ TOUCHING TRIBUTE

The Bulldogs are wearing black armbands today in memory of Sam Landsberger, who died tragically on Tuesday in a traffic incident in Richmond.

The 25-year-old Herald Sun journalist had close ties to the Dogs through his father Jake, a former club doctor.

12:20pm: WHO WILL DECIDE SUPERCOACH TITLE

The race for the $50k SuperCoach grand prize is going down to the wire.

Nathan, coach of Cadee’s Crew, entered the final round with a 144-point lead over Joven’s team Caleb Windsor Knot. But Nathan is playing a man down after Dan Houston’s suspension.

He got off to a strong start on Friday night thanks to Max Gawn, but Joven hit back with big scores from Lachie Neale and Josh Dunkley on Saturday night.

The title of 2024 SuperCoach champ could come down to the final game, when Nathan will be banking on Luke Jackson while Joven is hoping Hayden Young and Jordan Clark can help him make the jump to No.1.

11:45pm: FINAL TEAMS

The Giants have made three late changes for the first game of super Sunday.

Conor Stone (illness), Toby Bedford (calf soreness) and Brent Daniels (back) are all out – replaced by Nick Haynes, Xavier O’Halloran and Callum Brown.

The Dogs go in as named.

The starting subs are Arthur Jones (Western Bulldogs) and Callum Brown (GWS Giants).

Note the early 12.30pm start time!

Originally published as AFL 2024: Live updates and SuperCoach scores for Super Sunday, round 24

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/sport/afl/supercoach-news/afl-2024-live-updates-and-supercoach-scores-for-super-sunday-round-24/news-story/99165258db116f83c433d9824dfba916