- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Collingwood’s courageous win over North Melbourne had a bit of everything that a first round can offer.
Both teams started at breakneck speed, with the enthusiasm of two sides who’ve been champing at the bit to let their footy do the talking. North were desperate to atone, at least in a small way, for their deplorable performance in the Elimination Final last year.
The Pies were keen to get the media talking about their football instead of the various off-field issues that had dogged them over the summer.
The footy was of a reasonably high standard, although there were a few more errors than either coach would have liked. The first half had 12 lead changes with North winning the clearances and the Pies rebounding strongly. The teams went to the break at halftime with only two points separating them, and the Pies down a man after losing Ben Johnson to a badly corked thigh.
The game erupted after the main break, with North wasting some chances early before the Pies kicked away to a handy 20 point lead. A melee followed a nasty head clash between Ben Reid and Lindsay Thomas, with Reid left cut and dazed, and Thomas likely to face scrutiny from the MRP for initiating the off the ball clash.
The Pies kicked away to a six-goal lead before they began to feel the pinch of being restricted to only one fit player on the bench. The Roos stormed home with four quick goals, but it was all too late, with Collingwood prevailing for a well deserved 16 point win.
The best news for the Magpies was the return to the manic pressure that saw them claim the premiership in 2010. This was particularly evident in the forward line, with the Roos finding it almost impossible to move the ball out of the backline with any fluency.
The Pies scored 12 of their first 14 goals from turnovers, which is an astounding percentage. Other positives included the debuts of Jack Frost and Josh Thomas, both of whom looked very comfortable at this level, and the confident starts for Travis Cloke and Harry O’Brien.
North was well served by Captain Andrew Swallow and Daniel Wells, but missed the influence of Drew Petrie who was well held by Nathan Brown.
The undermanned Magpies will take pleasure in a strong win, knowing that their stocks will be further boosted with the imminent return of Thomas, Shaw and Beams.
Today’s game was a great example of the Pies’ pride in ensuring that they perform regardless of the personnel they have available. North will be left to rue some missed opportunities early in a game which they would have given themselves a great chance to win.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
A huge late moment in another thrilling Collingwood win!
How was this one missed?
Plenty of mayo on this one from the Norm Smith Medallist!
Andrew Pridham with the drive-by!
