Collingwood has returned to the AFL’s top eight after defeating Port Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday afternoon. The Pies led at the end of every quarter to snatch an 11.10 (76) to 10.10 (70) victory.
The disappointing crowd of just 32,804, mostly Collingwood supporters, cheered at the final hooter as the Pies set their finals chances back on course.
It wasn’t easy for Collingwood as Port Adelaide took the lead in the first, third and fourth quarters only to be chased down by the Pies by the end of each quarter.
Speaking in the press conference after the match, Pies coach Nathan Buckley said his side’s resilience was encouraging, as they needed to keep fighting back throughout the match.
As the Power’s top four hopes faded, Chad Wingard showed his frustration when he shoved the Pies’ Tyson Goldsack into a behind post halfway through the final quarter.
The statistics were as even as the final scoreline suggests. Port Adelaide led the disposals 378-371 while Collingwood led the inside-50s 49-45.
It was in the marking stats where Collingwood had the clear edge with 111-86 as Collingwood’s Travis Cloke led the way with ten and teammates Jamie Elliot and Marley Williams both grabbed ten. Matthew Broadbent and Justin Westhoff were the Power’s best as they each took seven marks.
Hamish Hartlett kicked four goals for Port Adelaide while the only other multiple goal scorers were Pies as Travis Cloke kicked three and both Steele Sidebottom and Tim Broomhead got two.
The result of the game was crucial to both team’s positioning come September.
After the Suns defeated St Kilda on Saturday night, Collingwood had to defeat Port Adelaide otherwise they would have ended the round outside the top eight.
The Pies’ victory now sees them back in eighth place, equal on 40 points with Gold Coast, Essendon and North Melbourne. However, as they sneak ahead of the Suns on their percentage, the Kangaroos and Bombers lead the Pies with their superior percentages.
Collingwood travel to West Coast next week and then face Brisbane (H), GWS (A) and Hawthorn (H) to finish the regular season. Can they fight off stiff competition, including Adelaide on 36 points, to take a place in the AFL’s 2014 finals series?
As for Port Adelaide, their early season table-topping form seems like the distant past as their slim minor premiership hopes have probably ended after the loss to Collingwood. They now sit in fifth place, four points behind fourth-placed Fremantle.
The Power host Sydney next week and then play Gold Coast (A), Carlton (H) and Fremantle (A). Can Port Adelaide redeem their season and seize a much-desired place in the AFL’s top four for the finals?
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Collingwood led by a point with minutes to go, Kyle Langford had the chance to be the hero with a set shot, however, he missed, and we saw the first draw of the season.
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