Collingwood have consolidated their top-four credentials and dented North Melbourne’s AFL finals hopes with a 66-point belting at the MCG.
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Final score
Collingwood Magpies 20.10.130
North Melbourne Kangaroos 9.10.64
It will be a fight to get back on the winner’s list when the Collingwood Magpies and North Melbourne Kangaroos do battle at the MCG on Saturday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 1:45pm (AEST).
Both sides are coming off losses to quality opposition last weekend, in games that showed just how close the fight for top eight positioning is.
Collingwood were beaten on their home turf last Sunday by a bolstered West Coast Eagles outfit. The powerful Eagles’ forward line – lifted by the return of Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling and Mark LeCras – dominated Collingwood and their defence, running out 35 points winners.
Late withdrawal Mason Cox was missed and, even after Nic Naitanui went down with an ACL, Brodie Grundy struggled to have an impact and inspire his midfielders.
Also last Sunday, North Melbourne fell short by one goal against Sydney and, with the loss, dropped out of the top eight on percentage.
Multiple lead changes throughout the afternoon had everyone guessing who would have the run and composure to finish on top at the final siren.
The battle between Majak Daw and Aliir Aliir was the talking point of the game; Daw predominately played up forward, providing another goal-kicking option to their spearhead tall-forward Ben Brown.
In team news, Mason Cox and Sam Murray return to the Magpies’ side, replacing omitted duo Ben Crocker and Josh Daicos.
Cox was a late out last weekend with “general soreness”, more specifically hamstring tightness, but has proven his fitness during the week.
North Melbourne will stick with the same 22 that challenged Sydney, making no changes to their squad for this clash. Majak Daw has been named in defence for this clash, but if another tall option is required up forward, expect Daw to provide this alongside Ben Brown.
Collingwood took a nine-goal victory in the last match between these two sides in Round 20, 2017 but, with both teams fighting for position in the top eight, who will come out on top this time?
Prediction
This game should draw a crowd on Saturday, Collingwood need to win to stay in the top four, while North Melbourne need a win to remain within striking distance of the top eight, or should results go their way, take seventh or eighth place.
North Melbourne have had some close games in the past few weeks and this one should be no different, but Collingwood will find a way to win at their hallowed ground.
Collingwood by 7
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 1:45pm (AEST).
Dan in Devon
Guest
Maybe time for a change of coach! Clearly Buckley is leading the team to oblivion. Is Brendan Bolton available?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Clearly the Pies are no good. I mean it was Norths biggest loss of the year but we still haven’t beaten anyone. We must be an awful side.
peter chrisp
Guest
And Gold Coast Suns are now 27 points ahead how good is that brilliant stuff
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
I'm moving over to Essendon vs Fremantle now, thanks for tuning in this afternoon.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Goals Collingwood De Goey 4, Mihocek 4, Stephenson 3, Hoskin-Elliott 3, Geundy, Adams, Cox, Greenwood, Phillips, Thomas North Melbourne Daw 3, Brown 2, Ziebell 2, Goldstein, Hrovat Disposals Collingwood Pendlebury 30, Adams 28, Murray 24 North MelbourneHiggins 33, Cunnington 30, Clarke 27 Score Collingwood: 20.10 (130) North Melbourne: 9.10 (64)
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 0' - FULL TIME An impressive win by Collingwood, 66 points the final margin. From the first term the Magpies were on top, they kicked 7 goals to 2 and never looked back. Finishing with 20 goals, the accurate day had ten goal contributors: Mihocek and De Goey kicked 4 goals, Hoskin-Elliott and Stephenson with 3. Collingwood: 130 North Melbourne: 64
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 1' - BEHIND ROOS Rushed over. Collingwood: 130 North Melbourne: 64
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 2' De Goey is also done for the day with a jacket on. Collingwood: 130 North Melbourne: 63
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 3' - BEHIND ROOS Brown has a rare miss as he starts the ball right and it stays that way. Collingwood: 130 North Melbourne: 63
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 4' - GOAL MAGPIES Thomas with his first goal for the day, out to 68 points here. Collingwood: 130 North Melbourne: 62
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 5' - BEHIND MAGPIES A 50m penalty gives Siet an opportunity to kick his first AFL goal. Sier doesn't quite get enough on his shot at goal and it's rushed over for a behind. Collingwood: 124 North Melbourne: 62
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 6' - GOAL ROOS Ziebell gets a quick snap away and goals. Collingwood: 123 North Melbourne: 62
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 7' - GOAL ROOS The transition from North allows the forwards to spread and Daw takes a mark inside 50. Another goal for Daw, that's three today after four last week. Collingwood: 123 North Melbourne: 56
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 9' - GOAL MAGPIES Intercept on the fifty and the re-entry by Scharenberg is perfectly out in front of De Goey. De Goey sends the kick straight through for a fourth personal goal. Collingwood: 123 North Melbourne: 50
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 9' - BEHIND MAGPIES Sidebottom with a behind. Collingwood: 117 North Melbourne: 50
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 11' - BEHIND MAGPIES Grundy on the run now, misses to the right. Collingwood taking every opportunity to goal, missing a couple in the process, but it could get very ugly in the next ten minutes. Collingwood: 116 North Melbourne: 50
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 12' - BEHIND MAGPIES Hoskin-Elliott flies and marks on someone's back. He misses his set shot to the right. Collingwood: 115 North Melbourne: 50
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 13' - GOAL MAGPIES De Goey marks in the pocket and centres to Phillips. Phillips with his first shot for the day, nails it. Collingwood flying. Pies injury: Stephenson came off with a knee injury, will have to wait and see if he can come back on. Collingwood: 114 North Melbourne: 50
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 14' - BEHIND ROOS McDonald misses an opportunity for North. Collingwood: 108 North Melbourne: 50
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 15' - GOAL MAGPIES The kick in was over calculated, but Hoskin-Elliott gets out the back and can gather before throwing it on the boot for a goal. Collingwood: 108 North Melbourne: 49