Magpies beat Saints and overtake them on ladder

Collingwood got their AFL season back on track with a desperate nine-point win over St Kilda in a cracking start to round eight at Telstra Dome.

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The Magpies matched their opponents’ efficiency with the ball through great tackling and hard running, and this time ensured there would be no fade-out in the 16.7 (103) to 14.10 (94) win.

Their victory avenged their last-start thumping to Hawthorn and gave both sides 4-4 win-loss records, although the Magpies (fifth) overtook the Saints (sixth) thanks to a superior percentage.

This was Collingwood’s first win this season over a side in the eight and it came through great physical intensity for the duration, having twice been beaten by sides on the back of final-quarter charges.

The Saints twice closed to under two goals in the last term on the back of Robert Harvey’s run, but Collingwood held firm.

Alan Didak’s snap around the corner to start the last quarter gave him three goals, while Dane Swan’s pass to the inspiring Scott Burns stalled St Kilda after Harvey had goaled.

Defender Harry O’Brien underlined Collingwood’s desperation when he chased down Charlie Gardiner and laid enough of a tackle to send the Saint’s kick astray.

O’Brien was part of a defence that still leaked too many goals through bad errors, but he rebounded well after a mediocre start to the season, and also dobbed one of the goals of the year.

Youngster Dale Thomas was another who answered the challenge put on him by coach Mick Malthouse, as he capped a brilliant first half by booting a goal which put his side in front at the main break.

Thomas played easily his best game of the season to finish with 21 disposals, while Leon Davis shone in the midfield with 27 touches and brilliant passing.

St Kilda badly missed injured skipper Nick Riewoldt in the forward line but produced a slick start to eke out a 15-point lead by midway through the second term, before Collingwood lifted their intensity.

The Saints dominated the clearances in the first half and were well-served by Luke Ball, Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo and Leigh Montagna, but that quartet could not lift the Saints over the line in the last term.

Although O’Brien was dispossessed a couple of times in defence in the first half, he created one of the season highlights early in the game when he ran forward and spoiled Stephen Milne from marking, paddled the ball forward and then threaded a goal from a tight angle, while Davis also conjured a miracle snap in the third quarter.

Tonight’s was the first game where the new interchange rules were introduced, and both sides were careful to ensure their players did not rush onto the field prematurely, to the point where Collingwood had five players off for some time late in the first half.

Malthouse said there were too many mistakes made to please him, but was satisfied with the Magpies’ intensity and persistence.

“A lot of mistakes were made but the stakes were high … kids will make mistakes and sometimes those mistakes are magnified,” he said.

“It puts you on the back foot but you’ve got to keep picking yourself up and keep going.”

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said Collingwood made the most of their opportunities and were better at applying pressure after halftime.

But Lyon clearly was not happy with the form of full-forward Fraser Gehrig, who retired after last season but was re-drafted.

Gehrig has struggled in his five games, both in getting the ball and keeping pressure on in the forward line.

Lyon gave the impression Gehrig, who booted one goal from seven disposals tonight, might have played his final game.

“It’s a concern,” he said.

“We respect Fraser and wanted to give Fraser every opportunity … he’ll be really disappointed.

“His body’s not what it was, really, and it’s frightening what can happen in six months (not training).

“He’s a really proud competitor, but his hand’s been worrying him and he wasn’t gloving it well tonight.

“But I feel like I’ve given Fraser every opportunity … we’ll assess his body and his mind, but ultimately what’s best for St Kilda.”

Malthouse said Collingwood struggled with the interchange moves, and was thankful sides would not be penalised free kicks for infringements until next weekend.

“We didn’t get it right … if we don’t we’re going to get cheap goals kicked against us,” he said.

Lyon said St Kilda had no problems with the new rules, which are designed to prevent players entering the field of play until their teammates are completely off.

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