The Collingwood Magpies have sensationally given up a 50-point lead against ladder leaders the Adelaide Crows, coming to an end with a dramatic draw thanks to a goal to Mitch McGovern after the full-time siren.
Final score:
Collingwood 15.13 (103)
Adelaide 16.7 (103)
The Collingwood Magpies and the Adelaide Crows face off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, both with winning form. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:20pm (AEST).
Showing the fight that Nathan Buckley saw early in the season, the Pies will seek their third win on the trot, while the Crows will attempt to string together their fifth consecutive victory.
Having skipped six points clear on the ladder, Adelaide will most likely carry the mantle of premiership favourites for the remainder of the season, and avoiding a needless lapse in concentration and an unexpected loss will be Don Pyke’s challenge in the coming weeks.
As such, this game looms as a potentially dangerous proposition.
Injury to Travis Varcoe in the courageous win against the West Coast and the ongoing absence of the captain Scott Pendlebury sees the Pies at long odds. Darcy Moore has been named despite suffering a solid knock last week.
Contrastingly, Adelaide have been a picture of health all year, having only used thirty players so far, the lowest number across the whole competition. The loss of Eddie Betts is significant yet the Crows are far from one dimensional in any area of their game.
If season 2017 has taught us anything, it is that a top four team, when only a small percentage off in effort and application, is vulnerable to a committed squad sitting much lower on the ladder.
Logic says this is a walk in the park for the boys from Adelaide and their march towards the top two would be somewhat complete considering the opponents that follow.
The scoring potency of the Crows should prove too much for the Pies who score around twenty-four points on average less than Adelaide. However the prediction of a few showers could prove something of a leveler and if the contest remains tight and scores are held under the century mark, the Magpies chances of an unlikely victory increase.
Will the black and white, against the odds, find a way to derail the impressive form and potency of a Crows squad with significant weapons, capable of hurting every team in the AFL?
Prediction
The Crows will take some time to click into top gear with Collingwood providing a stiff test early. Eventually the sheer class of the Crows ball movement and attack will shine and they could rack up an impressive second half score.
Adelaide by 8 goals.
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 3:10pm.
Gungadin
Guest
Another loooonnnnggg drawn out season for Collingwood. We all ventured, nothing gained.
Chris
Guest
The Maggies are going through a learning curve. There is no doubt that there is talent on display,however, the age old problem exists. No key forwards or defenders worth a pinch of salt. Back to the Collingwood six-footers tradition. This can be rectified with a centre half back and full forward. Moreover, a more defensively minded coach could have won the match. Langdon should have milked the clock!
Cat
Roar Guru
WHatever that is supposed to mean.
Kangajets
Guest
What a great game. Long live the draw
Kev the Pie
Guest
Irrevalent? Ha, hit by the karma bus!
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
And the umpires had very little influence on the game so full marks to them.
Cat
Roar Guru
In a reasonable and well run club? Yes. Hopefully not though. I hope Eddie signs him long term. As long as figjam is leading the way the Pies will continue to be irrevalent.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Fantastic game of footy. Daniel Wells was absolutely magnificent. And what a mark and goal from McGovern in the final minute. Adelaide did so well to get the lead down from 50 points to 3 but when Collingwood blew it out again to 21 points I thought the Crows were cooked. For them to find a third wind and draw the game was sensational. One of the best games I've seen. Well done to both teams. Sometimes a draw seems a hollow feeling but both teams deserved to take something out of that game.
Dan in Devon
Guest
Surely that spells the end of Buckley?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Well what an afternoon that was at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Collingwood can hold their head high after a sterling effort against the form team in the competition. The magnificence of their first half was only matched by the brilliance of the eleven goal second half by the Crows. The two points may be of some value to Adelaide yet will mean little to Collingwood. Fanciful ideas of a finals appearance if they had managed to keep the run going are now gone and the season reviewers are already circling. Daniel Wells played his best ever game for the Pies and Jeremy Howe, Jarryd Blair and Ben Reid were outstanding. For the Crows, Mitch McGovern provided the impetus and energy for the most unlikely of comebacks with four second half goals. The fact that Levi greenwood kept Rory Sloane quiet and the Crows still found a way to scrape a result is testament to the depth they have. They were far from perfect, yet in something of a danger game, they still showed their teeth in the second half and reminded all teams of their scoring potency. Twice the Crows looked on the canvas and twice they found a way back. The weather was perfect, the crowd was vocal and the football was, at times, sublime. Two weeks in a row now, the Magpies have made a significant impact on the top eight. Playing the way they are, they may have a little more impact yet. Thanks for tuning in and interacting with the blog.
Cat
Roar Guru
Chokingwood strikes again.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Dan in Devon
Guest
Fifty points up...and escapes with a lucky draw - Buckley should now be in line now for a two year extension.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Dude. That was sensational. I don't support either team, but I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack. What a game of footy
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Give me ten minutes to review that one. WOW. Match report to follow!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Could someone please explain the last three hours please? I am baffled.
XI
Roar Guru
Awwwwww. It had to be. Just too poetic.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
It's a DRAW a DRAW a DRAW. What a game. I can't believe it. The crows have pulled of a miracle in the last three seconds and earn a valuable two points. Somebody hand me a ginger beer. That was outstanding!!!!!!
TomC
Roar Guru
That is just amazing. What about that mark by McGovern?
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Ugh. It's a draw. Probably fitting, if I'm honest. I'd say that's the best game of the season, bar none. It had everything.