The Collingwood Magpies have crushed former flag favourites the Richmond Tigers by 39 points at the MCG in the first preliminary final on a clear Friday night.
Richmond opened their preliminary final with three behinds, before Collingwood responded with two goals and took an early lead.
The Magpies kicked the final three goals of the first term to be in front by 21 points at the first break, and sound the first alarm bells for the Tigers.
Mason Cox opened the second quarter with three big contested marks and three straight goals, as U-S-A was cheered around the MCG.
Collingwood squeezed Richmond – they didn’t give the Tigers any space or time, kept the ball in their forward half and put pressure on the scoreboard.
At half time the deficit was 44 points and the Richmond Tigers needed to reset.
Richmond scored first in the second half, but their hope was short-lived as Jordan De Goey kicked his fourth.
Goals to Bachar Houli and Jack Riewoldt at the end of the third term lifted the Tigers and their fans at the final break.
When Richmond kicked the opening two goals in the final quarter, the game was back on. Richmond fans were vocal once again and everyone was thinking maybe, just maybe…
Collingwood finished with a bang, goals to Adam Treloar, Brodie Grundy and Jaidyn Stephenson put the game to rest, it was decided: The Magpies would play in the grand final.
Steele Sidebottom was prolific in the midfield with 41 disposals, while Taylor Adams (36 disposals, 8 clearances) and Jack Crisp (30 disposals, 2 goals) were great as well.
Jordan De Goey kicked four goals, Mason Cox three and Brody Mihocek and Jack Crisp also contributed two goals each.
Brodie Grundy dominated the ruck for the Magpies, he had 56 hitouts, kicked a goal and his presence was felt around the ground all night.
Dustin Martin clearly wasn’t fit, David Astbury struggled as well, but Jack Riewoldt (five goals) and Trent Cotchin (25 disposals, 10 clearances, seven tackles) led alone from the front.
The biggest concern for Collingwood is a high ankle sprain to Jeremy Howe, after a run-down tackle by Daniel Rioli.
He spent the final quarter on the bench, but with the game all but over there was little point risking him.
That’s season 2018 over for the Tigers, a brilliant year comes to an end with the loss and it’s a very different feeling to last year’s elation.
Collingwood now look ahead, with their opponent to be decided in Perth tomorrow: will it be an all-Victorian grand final, or will West Coast prove the bye not to be an issue?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
yep, pretty much.
Fat Toad
Roar Rookie
I agree, Derek Hine has been an incredible contributor to the club's success. He is definitely one of Collingwood's strategic advantages. I am amazed at how some people are able to recognise talent and an individual player's skill set and then see how to build it into an existing structure in a way that complements it rather than disrupts it. What makes this really special is that they do it with players that other teams have not been able to find and use to their best advantage. …. Talk about insight.
Fat Toad
Roar Rookie
Bagging the blues is okay? It should be compulsory!
Fat Toad
Roar Rookie
Yep, I have decades of experience in watching them snatch defeat from the gapping jaws of victory.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Yes that was shaky wasn't it. Bucks said the Pies started to "play safe" around that time. I was certainly spooked when Jack single handedly dragged the Tigers to 21 points. I was convinced we lose at that moment.
Pieman
Guest
You know pete you fit in well to ed and little nathans circle of friends. When others complement the pies for playing well you take it as a personal complement ...like mr ed you think you are collingwood ...obviously as conceited as them. Dont pity me pete i dont blindly follow just to fit in. If ed revealed a succesion plan now what would you do? Follow ed or little nathan? Or just ask why? You obviously dont think for yourself so you would just follow mr ed......
Bernie
Guest
As a lifelong Bulldog that stuck, I'll take "one and done" over "never and none" anytime. Crickey, now we're bagged for not winning two.
Fat Toad
Roar Rookie
Its pointless worrying about a draw and how it ranks a team. Carlton has received easy draws and good draft picks for years but failed to benefit. While it can be instructive to consider a mid ladder team's wins against higher opponents, it is a coarse measure and can easily mislead. Once you get to either the top end or bottom of the ladder it is of little use. For example, if you take the ladder ranking after the GF, and if Collingwood wins, then they will have won the Premiership, but still only managed to beat teams that were ultimately ranked below them.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
He is all class Trav Varcoe. People who rubbish Derek Hine need to look at some of our pick ups from other clubs.... Varcoe, Hoskin, Howe, Adams, Treloar, Crisp, Greenwood, Mayne, Dunn, Aish...that's basically half our side from other clubs...then some of the draft picks...Maynard, Langdon, De Goey, Stephenson, Sier.....
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Oh Pieman, you fail to take any of my joy at being in a grand final away. Will let others judge your comments, for you I have nothing more than pity.
Pieman
Guest
Well in your mind pete having another succesion plan is out of the question...just like it shouldve been for malthouse . You are not loyal to pies you are loyal to ed the dictator and little nathan. If others had all on a silver platter like little nat....they wouldve been just as good if not better. There isnt much special about buckley he has had everything he could possibly want in support ...so if pies dont win this one under him they wont win any. Its taken 7 years now you think you can gloat pete but there is alot to prove yet. One final series when teams are caught out ...it wont happen next year.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Where will you watch the game Bell? MCG or Holden centre big screen?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Many others admit their errors on Bucks but sadly not Pieman.
Pieman
Guest
Isnt this about the time ego ed starts another succesion plan? Dayne Swan i think is next ... lookout little Nathan.
anon
Roar Pro
I just don't see it. Until last night they had no real top 8 scalps apart from Melbourne. Had a very soft draw. They won't get that soft draw next year.
anon
Roar Pro
You could argue that the extra rest helped West Coast today. One of the most one-sided finals I can remember. Gave over 15 minutes in. Martin has to step up if he takes the field. Martin's been in and out of games all year. He's been coasting along. Flirting with form.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Just pleased to be in a grand final now Murphy and the way Dimma, Cotch and co handled themselves straight after the game speaks volumes of their character. Hope we can be so gracious if we get done next week. Dimma and Bucks have genuine respect for each other. Has the essence of a renewed rivalry not built on hate but perhaps mutual respect. From the clubs anyway, not sure us fans can be quite so gracious.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Disagree. His whole focus is team.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
The comments in here like this Bangkock are why I go to this site. Amidst some average stuff, there's genuine footy insight to be found.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Glass half full would say he goes into the Grand Final after the best game of his career and no longer doubting his worth and right to be out there.