The Collingwood Magpies have produced a famous one-point victory to end the West Coast Eagles’ season in a thrilling elimination final in Perth.
In what was yet another brilliant, topsy-turvy match to cap off an outstanding opening week of the finals, the Magpies withstood a late flurry by the hosts to scrape home by a single point.
While the Eagles kicked the opening goal of the game, the first quarter belonged to Collingwood, Mason Cox producing another memorable first-half performance in a final by kicking three early goals as part of a run of four straight majors for the Pies before the opening break.
However, neither side were able to build a comfortable lead, with the Eagles coming back strongly in the second and eventually edging back in front at the start of the third.
The hosts then threatened to pull away at the start of the final quarter, kicking the first two goals of the term, but three straight to the Pies, including a superb snap from Jordan de Goey and a composed finish from deep in the pocket by Brodie Mihocek – one of his three majors on the night – were enough to get Collingwood into the semi-finals, even with Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling pulling the final margin back to a single point.
For the Magpies, Taylor Adams put in an outstanding shift, finishing best aground with 24 touches. Levi Greenwood was superb in limiting the influence of star Eagle Tim Kelly, who only got his hands on the ball 12 times all night. Fellow West Coast midfielder Luke Shuey also had a performance he’d rather forget, managing only 14 disposals.
While Collingwood were unerringly accurate, kicking 12.4 for the match, the Eagles will be rueing their relative inaccuracy. They finished with 11.9, four more scoring shots than their opponents, with Kennedy the worst offender with four behinds to go with his three goals.
The win propels the Magpies into a semi-final showdown against the Geelong Cats at the Gabba next week, while the loss – West Coast’s first in Perth all year – ends the Eagles’ season.
West Coast Eagles 11. 9. 75 def. by Collingwood Magpies 12. 4. 76
Gerry
Roar Rookie
You certainly know your football Pete. It’s a shame the Pies went out the way they did. They are so much better than that. I think there is some truth maybe in that the win against the Eagles took a lot out of them and tank was a bit empty. Geelong are certainly no shirks and had a point to prove to all and sundry that their finals records are not sheaths bad. I remember how I felt after Hawthorn smashed us in the GF s of 1991 and 2015. It was a terrible feeling. Yes this was not the GF but still a similar feeling must be being felt by Pies supporters. Look forward to renewing battle next year .
Simoc
Guest
Yup still celebrating the Pies win. Think its the first time I've wanted them to win in the last 30 years. Enjoyed Liam Ryans game. Hope he joins the Dockers or the Lions so I can see him play more often.
Horace G
Roar Rookie
Depends on the offer really?
Gerry
Roar Rookie
Is there ever a case where the umpires have secured a team a victory? I cannot think of any. If two teams were evenly matched and with minutes to go imagine the pressure on the umpires at that time. I think everyone forgets that. Let’s face facts this a game the Eagles should have won there are no excuses. At home with many of their stars back it should have just been a formality but what did I say about a team backed into a corner and as underdogs and the fact they have beaten us at home before by 1 point if my memory serves correct. We have a very healthy rivalry with Collingwood in the finals. Mutual respect. If it had been St Kilda or the Bulldogs they would have capitulated but not the Pies. Even Richmond and Geelong struggle in Perth. Port play very well here. I can’t remember how Brisbane do probably struggle as well. So out of all the finalists I think the Pies and Port were going to be the toughest as it proved. That said we were not too far away from a win. We lost our composure in the final minutes and Collingwood kept their pressure and belief. Just hungrier. You have to give them credit not the umpires help. Eagles had their chances. JK not fully fit and just a bit off his game as was Schuey. Should have kept Schofield in and put Duggan in middle as missing our star Yeo. I don’t think Ah Chee is up to scratch. Cameron also should be playing a lot more games for us. That name is similar to the Rioli dynasty. Jetta has been off form but he does seem to play well in finals. I am no coach but just suggestions I guess. I like the fact our game is different to the chaos football of teams today. We need to ensure it is carried out to the letter though.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Jakovich, McKenna and Worsfold pretty handy in defence too Gerry, I bet Mick loved those three. Making finals since the AFL era started , does any side have a better record than the Eagles? Don’t see that ending any time soon though your Shuey and Hurn types are hard to replace. Past couple of years you must be just one win off top 4. Pies have a big task ahead to go further but who knows in this crazy year. I gave us no chance of getting this far!
Larry Longshaft
Roar Rookie
Nice one Klompster :thumbup:
Gerry
Roar Rookie
Gracious in victory and defeat Pete a true gent. I hope the Pies go as far as possible. Good luck to them that was no easy task to hold us on our home ground and pip the points. Anyone with a brain in their head has to accept that. They deserve it. We need to get our mojo back and pretty quick. We seem to strip up a lot of negative press from the Vics and to be honest it’s not necessary. I am in the school of thought who admires great teams. Which of course included a lot of Vic teams. I mean Hawthorn were just incredible at their peak. Richmond are doing something similar and the Pies are as always a contender. So with us at our peak in the 90s era we just had some super awesome players. I mean Peter Matera what a freak . Anyway it hurts to miss out but there has been something missing the last two years I can’t work out what. I am hopeful for our future. Good luck to the Pies I hope they pull off some more surprises. Imagine winning it from 8th wow that rooks just be incredible.
Gerry
Roar Rookie
I’d never support a Vic team over an interstate team especially if from WA. I don’t mind Freo at all but still love the Eagles. We can only ever benefit from having two strong competitive WA teams . So I have no grudges against Freo mist if it is friendly banter rivalry and I know there are many many Eagles fans like me. A but of grace and class is what is needed here. I wish Freo the best and a young and exciting team is just that exciting. So in the end I am a bit hurt you label all Eagles fans as you have please do not include me in that batch thanks very much.
Eagles 18
Roar Rookie
I don't know much about Philips or any other wingman players from other clubs. I hardly watched footy games this year to take notice because of this Covid crap. I do know that Waterman and Brander are not natural wing players. They will hopefully be our future fwd players one day especially when J.K retires. Greenwood definitely one of Collingwood best players last night. Stopped Kelly's influence on the game and must give credit to Buckley for that instead of tagging Shuey or Gaff. If I could spin one positive out of losing last night is we now fall in the 2nd category of the fixture (7-12) and might be the difference in making top 4 next year :silly:
Klompy
Guest
Thakns Pete the Scrib. I wonder if many got the Joke. IF they have been to the MCG Like I have many times some times you would hear people walking around calling out to sell Chips, Drinks and Hot Pies. I do not think many people own this site would realise that it happens at the MCG. So that is why I say Cold pies to sell Mostly referring to your Team. But I thin not many get it.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Yes, Marty. This bloke's a beauty.
Marty
Roar Rookie
‘Weakness’? Well how could they ever hope to be as tough as you obviously think you are mate? I can only imagine how much courage it must take to sit on your couch banging away on your phone. That’s as tough as it gets I rekon!
13th Man
Roar Rookie
The irony of West Coast fans having a crack at rival teams fans :laughing:
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Yeah it was really original and intelligent, just like all the nuffies that pull out the old "what ship has never docked in Fremantle" joke. Get some new material.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Just proving my point here Eagles Man, keep going Champ…
Asd
Guest
2 big clubs wealthy and full of pride
Asd
Guest
Im no pies fan but they deserved that win.De goey hes good in big games
EaglesMan
Roar Rookie
Thanks mate it was a wonderful game the Pies were too good they took their chances we didn’t and Jk missed some sitters he would normally nail, same with Cripps, same with darling.
EaglesMan
Roar Rookie
Haha nice one good young side. Bring back a premiership and then we will we talk
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Thanks Eagles 18, classy comment when hurting. I’ve said some silly things in here while hurting from the Pies. Yeo was a big loss no doubt. I haven’t seen much of Ah Chee but he seemed out of his depth last night. Would you take Tom Phillips? Ready made wing . He will be gettable off season and not cost too much. His disposal the issue. I thought Greenwood was instrumental too in keeping Kelly to 12. Still, when Gov took that mark in the dying moments and ripped it on, I though oh no here we go again. Fully expected Ryan to mark and pop it over to Dom Sheed.