A seven-goals-to-none first term from the Collingwood Magpies has set up one of the biggest upset wins of the year as the Pies ran out four-goal winners over the Geelong Cats.
REPORT: FAST-STARTING MAGPIES UPSET CATS
Final score
Collingwood Magpies 16.8 (104)
Geelong Cats 11.14 (80)
The MCG takes centre stage once more, as the Collingwood Magpies and Geelong Cats resume hostilities on a Saturday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:45pm (AEST).
Patrick Dangerfield mania is absolutely raging right now in Geelong, with the Cats sitting second on the ladder at 7-1 and with a league-best percentage of 167.
The excitement created by their first-up win over Hawthorn was tempered after a loss to GWS and ho-hum wins over Brisbane and Essendon, but since then the Cats have been on an absolute tear.
Port Adelaide, Gold Coast and West Coast all copped hidings at the hands of Geelong, and last week’s spirited 16-point win over the Crows in Adelaide could have been a lot bigger if not for some wayward kicking in front of goal.
However, Geelong’s season could not contrast any starker with that of their opponents this week in Collingwood.
The acquisition of Adam Treloar looked to be the catalyst for a surge up the ladder for the Magpies, but an almighty shellacking at the hands of Sydney in Round 1 had them reeling.
A one-point win the next week over Richmond did very little for the Pies. They lost their next five games convincingly, with three of those losses coming against bottom six teams from 2015.
Last week they flicked the switch and blew away the hapless Brisbane Lions, but there’s plenty more to do in 2016.
These teams have made a point of ruining each other’s seasons recently.
The Cats were the only team to defeat Collingwood in 2011, and they did it three times – twice in the home-and-away season and once more in the grand final.
Last time these two teams played, however, it was a blistering performance from the Pies that saw Geelong eliminated from the finals for the first time since 2006.
Prediction
Many predicted the Cats to rise again this season, although their quick ascension to a genuine contender has been ahead of schedule. They should have more than enough class to dismiss a team that’s been by far and away 2016’s biggest disappointment.
Cats by 31 points.
Be sure to join The Roar from 1:45pm (AEST) to keep up with all the action as the Cats look to continue their strong season against the Magpies.
billyjesser
Guest
Do you really expect us to believe pies cats game was on the level the amount of times cats kicked ball to opposition,the amount of uncontested possetions just stunk of fixing,thats what happens when you have betting sites as major sponsors
Queries
Guest
Go Swans lol
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Can't start a game like that and expect to win. Brilliant start Collingwood. Crisp was such an underrated get when he crossed over.
Stirling Coates
Editor
THE ROAR AFL MVP VOTES 3 VOTES - Steele Sidebottom (COL) - 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 VOTES - Jack Crisp (COL) - One of his best performances for the Magpies, 25 disposals, five clearances, eight tackles, eight inside 50s and a goal. 1 VOTE - Scott Pendlebury (COL) - A true captain's effort. 26 touches, four clearances, four rebound 50s and three crucial goals.
dan in devon
Guest
defence much improved today - the switch of Howe to the backline has been the key difference. I don't remember disposal/kicking/handballing being this bad when I was growing up in Victoria - maybe I am being nostalgic? Hopefully Collingwood build their season on this win. Thanks for the call. Still early here. Cheers
Stirling Coates
Editor
COLLINGWOOD v GEELONG CATS FULL TIME REPORT Collingwood - 16.8 (104) Geelong Cats - 11.14 (80) 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
Stirling Coates
Editor
SIREN Taylor Adams with a wonderful kick on the wing, that curls onto the chest of the hard-running Adam Treloar. The siren sounds with his kick in the air, and while it's wide and short, it matters little. Collingwood with a stunning 24-point win at the MCG. COL - 16.8 (104) GEE - 11.14 (80) FULL TIME
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL CATS Good to see Zac Smith still making the effort with the match finished, he wraps up Jeremy Howe inside 50 and earns the free kick. His set shot from 40 out is a good one, and that brings the margin back under 30 points. Probably a fair margin. COL - 16.8 (104) GEE - 11.14 (80) Q4: 1'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL MAGPIES Collingwood go for a nice run up the wing, Steele Sidebottom gathers at half forward and his kick to the leading Brodie Grundy could not have been placed any better. Kicking from 20 out on a moderate angle, he kicks it dead straight. 'Pies by 30. COL - 16.8 (104) GEE - 10.14 (74) Q4: 2'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND CATS Geelong win the centre clearance and go up the ground quickly, but Josh Caddy's running shot at goal hits the post. COL - 15.8 (98) GEE - 10.14 (74) Q4: 4'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL MAGPIES Turnover in defense from Geelong invites Collingwood back into the play, and Jordan De Goey is able to wheel around and dob a nice insurance goal from 40 out off one step. COL - 15.8 (98) GEE - 10.13 (73) Q4: 4'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL CATS Joel Selwood with a very measured kick inside 50 and Tom Hawkins takes a wonderful one-handed grab against Jack Frost. Kicking for his fourth, from 35 out on a slight angle, he pushes it through. Too little, too late. This 'five goals in five minutes equation' is absolute nonsense. We don't see teams kick 80 goals each a match. COL - 14.8 (92) GEE - 10.13 (73) Q4: 5'
Stirling Coates
Editor
You'd have to say it's going to be very hard for Travis Cloke to force his way back into Collingwood's 22. What does the future hold for that man? COL - 14.8 (92) GEE - 9.13 (67) Q4: 6'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL MAGPIES Huge goal for Collingwood, and you'd have to say that may very well be it. Adam Treloar with a fantastic tap over the top to himself and gather in the corridor, kicks it to Mason Cox, and with nobody coming to him inside 50, he bounces once, before slotting it from 35 out on the run. Magpies fans in raptures. COL - 14.8 (92) GEE - 9.13 (67) Q4: 7'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Geelong win the free kick on the wing, but the kick to half forward is intercepted by Jeremy Howe with a superb mark over the shoulders! COL - 13.8 (86) GEE - 9.13 (67) Q4: 8'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Eight disposals and one goal for Mason Cox this afternoon. He's looked okay, but the commentators are absolutely lavishing him with praise. COL - 13.8 (86) GEE - 9.13 (67) Q4: 10'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Another wasted chance from Geelong inside 50, with Daniel Menzel and Joel Selwood both missing targets with the handball and letting Collingwood clear with ease. Very hard to see the Cats getting back now. COL - 13.8 (86) GEE - 9.13 (67) Q4: 11'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND MAGPIES Long kick to Tom Hawkins at full forward from Andrew Mackie, but the Collingwood defense is able to spoil and Brayden Maynard forces it over the line. COL - 13.8 (86) GEE - 9.13 (67) Q4: 12'
Gazza
Guest
How. Far you allowed to carry the ball these days. Jarryd Hayne could play for Geelong they look like running backs then tkerstin sets up goal after 150 metres of running rugby.
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL MAGPIES Travis Varcoe wins the free kick for holding the ball on the wing, and his long kick to full forward is marked very strongly by Darcy Moore. Kicking from 20 out on a small angle, he brings the 'Pies fans to his feet with a straight kick. Collingwood back in control. COL - 13.8 (86) GEE - 9.12 (66) Q4: 13'