Collingwood crashed Lance Franklin’s milestone game and held on for a thrilling one-point AFL win over Sydney on Friday night.
The 11.14 (80) to 11.13 (79) victory was Collingwood’s first win at the SCG in 17 years, though it as only the third match they have played at the venue since the turn of the century.
Will Hoskin-Elliott kicked a superb long-distance set shot from a tight angle deep in the final quarter after Swans captain Josh Kennedy gave Sydney their only lead of the night with a behind.
Last season’s minor premiers have started 2017 with three-straight losses while Collingwood notched up their first win of the campaign.
With Taylor Adams, Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar, Steele Sidebottom and Brodie Grundy leading the charge, Collingwood mugged Sydney early and then answered every question the home side posed.
Alex Fasolo provided a fine focal point with four first-half goals for the Pies.
Collingwood scored the first 21 points and led by that margin at quarter time and were nine up at the long break and three-quarter time.
Playing his 250th game, Franklin kicked just three behinds but tallied 18 touches and seven marks. He almost set up a win for his side by setting up their last two goals to first-season players Oliver Florent and Nic Newman.
Collingwood were good value for their win leading for almost the entire contest.
Incredibly, Collingwood had the first 15 inside 50s and finished the first quarter with a whopping 23-2 advantage in that area.
The quarter-time stats would have made horrendous reading for Swans coach John Longmire.
The Pies logged 62 more disposals, 13 more contested possessions, 28 more marks and they even even laid three more tackles despite dominating possession.
Sydney fought back to the extent they had more scores on the board by halftime but still trailed as Collingwood kicked straighter.
Swans youngster Will Hayward and veteran Kieren Jack each kicked two goals in the second quarter but five of their teammates only logged a behind as the hosts squandered opportunities to make even bigger inroads into the visitors’ lead.
Hayward finished with three goals but Collingwood’s defenders combined superbly to limit Franklin and Sam Reid to just one goal between them.
Adams finished with 31 possessions and Treloar 28 for the Pies while Jake Lloyd had 34 possessions, Josh Kennedy 32 and Dan Hannebery 31 for the Swans.
Rod
Guest
In all honesty, we were all counting our lucky stars when they were lucky to get in front, based on the skill level they had demonstrated throughout the game. They worked hard to get back into it, so credit due for that.
Stewie
Guest
Something important to note: Swans this week are more inexperienced than the Lions team this week: Comparing the two teams for Round 3, Swans average 10 more games, although that's the difference between 10 and 20, 180 and 190, doesn't say too much. Swans have three more players who have played 50 games or less, and had four more players who had played 10 games or less. And people say Collingwood were struggling with inexperience!!! Plus when you're missing 4 of your 5 best forwards from last year (Tippett, Papley, Heeney, Rohan), you're bound to struggle.
Tricky
Guest
The challenge for Collingwood is to back up that 1st quarter form, last night they answered all the challenges from Sydney - on the oppositions home deck, even though the swans were not at full strength. The swans came and came hard but the Pies retorted at every question asked. Can they back it up next week? Should they - consistently- bring that footy week in week out they'll play finals. But will they? Only time can answer that
bobburra
Guest
Question ?, would you still be stating all of the above if the Swans had have by 5points instead of losing by 1.? Or would it have a gutsy win given the circumstances ? Just a thought.
Sydneygirl
Guest
I agree and it was senior players making the mistakes much of the time.
MG
Roar Rookie
The first quarter shocked me and cost the game. Collingwood are not as bad as many seem to think. Inexperience cost them possibly both of round 1 and 2. They have been roasted by the media and last night they responded. Schade and Goldsack played very good games. Nick Smith not so good at the other end.
MG
Roar Rookie
Tippett wasn't playing last night.
Slane
Guest
I'm sick of the way the AFL changes rule interpretation from week to week. I was liking the way the umpires were paying incorrect disposal frees when players drop the ball while being tackled.
George
Guest
Not sure about some of these comments about rebuild, firing coach. Swans miss 6 very good players and played 9 players with less than 15 games. Agree, first quarter was not good from Swans but they adjusted and were right in it. They are well set for the future. When players come back, they will still be the force this year and cause some damage. I predict they will still make the finals.
George
Guest
At one stage it was 96%.
Kieran
Roar Rookie
That first quarter of ball movement for Collingwood was fantastic, anyone know what their kicking/passing efficiency was?!!?
Rod
Guest
Dropped marks, with quite a few not even under pressure, misdirected handballs with many straight to the opposition, misdirected kicks, inaccurate in front of goal, fumbling, second to the ball in a one on one contest, unable to stay on their feet in a one on one contest. You name it, the Swans were guilty of it all. A very poor effort. The Swans didn't deserve to be anywhere near winning last night and the margin flattered them.
Swannies
Guest
Swans have the best team and the best coach in the competition. Losing the first 3 games is no big deal...Swans will string together enough wins to secure a top 4 spot come the end of the season. We'll peak at the pointy end of the season.
Wayne
Guest
Gone - rebuild - get rid of Longmire - and Tippett and Jack - missed shot and dropped mark - Swans will be 0-5 before Anzac Day
Raimond
Roar Guru
I suspected that the Swans would struggle this year, with the mental scars running deep after 2014 & 2016. Finals are looking unlikely at this stage.