Collingwood provided one of the biggest upsets of the season to date on Saturday afternoon when they downed a disappointing Geelong Cats team by four goals at the MCG.
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The Magpies both shocked and awed by kicking seven unanswered first-quarter goals on Saturday on their way to 16.8 (104) to 11.14 (80) victory.
Geelong spent the rest of the match chasing the contest, and were within reach of completing the comeback when Tom Hawkins booted two goals in the final term.
After leading by 44 points at quarter-time, the Magpies’ edge was reduced to just eight in the final term as the Cats mounted their challenge.
But in front of a vocal crowd of 59,684, Collingwood weren’t to be denied.
The Magpies were exuberant early and showed their steel to cling on with Brodie Grundy and Darcy Moore goals arresting the Cats’ late momentum.
Nathan Buckley’s side did the damage in the opening half-hour.
Jesse White and Alex Fasolo nabbed a pair of goals each, alongside majors to tireless runners Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar and Jack Crisp.
All three midfielders were excellent on a day when the Magpie engine, led by Steele Sidebottom in his 150th game, had no passengers.
The four-goal result showed how quickly footy fortunes change.
Just a week ago, coach Buckley headed to Brisbane under extreme pressure with only an Anzac Day win in the past month.
On the same weekend, the Cats were installed as flag favourites after purring to a sixth-straight win.
But on Saturday afternoon, the Magpies snapped the form-lines in stunning style, becoming the first team to beat the Cats this season in Victoria.
Collingwood – 16.8 (104)
Geelong Cats – 11.14 (80)
The Roar AFL MVP votes
3: Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood) – Had a belter in his 150th, racking up a game-high 31 disposals, nine marks and five tackles. Dominated early when the game was still on the line.
2: Jack Crisp (Collingwood) – One of his best performances for the Magpies, 25 disposals, five clearances, eight tackles, eight inside 50s and a goal.
1: Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) – A true captain’s effort. 26 touches, four clearances, four rebound 50s and three crucial goals.
Goal kickers
Magpies: Pendlebury 3, White 2, Fasolo 2, Cox 2, Grundy 2, Treloar, Crisp, Crocker, de Goey, Moore
Cats: Hawkins 4, Motlop, Menzel, Duncan, Caddy, Lang, Stanley, Caddy
Disposal leaders
Magpies: Sidebottom 31, Treloar 29, Pendlebury 26
Cats: Duncan 25, Lang 23, Bartel 23
Team stats
Disposals: Magpies 370, Cats 341
Contested Possessions: Magpies 153, Cats 138
Tackles: Cats 85, Magpies 70
Inside 50s: Cats 54, Magpies 46
Clearances: Cats 32, Magpies 31
With AAP.
Diplomatically answered, Darcy!
For all the pomp and circumstance that surrounds the now-traditional Anzac Day clash at the MCG, there has been one thing conspicuously lacking over…
Old mate summing it up better than anyone possibly could!
