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Darren Jolly of Collingwood celebrates a goal during the 2010 Toyota AFL Grand Final replay between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints at the MCG, Melbourne. Slattery Images
Collingwood are premiers for the first time since 1990 after disposing of St Kilda by 56 points in today’s Grand Final replay. In stark contrast to last week’s nail-biter, the Pies were convincing winners and had the game sewn up early in the third quarter.
Put simply, the Pies were brilliant, while the Saints just couldn’t replicate their performance from last week.
The first quarter largely set things up, with Collingwood holding the Saints goalless. The Pies only managed three goals of their own, giving rise to the theory a re-enactment of last week was on the cards, but both sides continued their early form as the game progressed.
St Kilda opened the second term with five consecutive behinds, adding to their two from the opening quarter. Meanwhile, Collingwood – the side that was supposed to be most susceptible to inaccuracy – added another three goals before the main break.
The biggest sign it was Collingwood’s day game in the first term as Nick Riewoldt looked certain to score the Saints’ first goal in the goal square. Heath Shaw came from nowhere to get a last-minute hand to the ball before it hit Riewoldt’s boot.
The ball trickled over the line for a behind. It was a huge moment.
At half time, the margin was 27 points – only three more points than last week’s half time margin – however it was clear St Kilda, with only one goal to their name, faced a massive challenge to wrestle their way back into it.
Any hope of that was snuffed out by a phenomenal Collingwood third quarter.
Chris Dawes, Sharrod Wellingham and Dane Swan booted goals in quick succession to start the second half, putting the game practically beyond doubt. From there, it was party time for the Pies and their many supporters.
Scott Pendlebury claimed the Norm Smith Medal for his spectacular performance, although Luke Ball, Darren Jolly, Steele Sidebottom and Wellingham were all brilliant.
For the Saints, special mention has to be made of Brendon Goddard’s extraordinary first half, backing up his huge game last week with 19 early possessions.
However, today was Collingwood’s day.
The win tops off a dominant season for the Pies, who claimed the minor premiership with 17 wins and a draw, and backed it up by comfortably winning three of their four finals.
Collingwood, after 20 years of waiting, are premiers again.