After being scoreless at half time, the Pies were in close reach to defeat, leading by one at the start of the fourth quarter.

Collingwood had another slow start to the game but came back firing in the third quarter kicking three goals from Matilda Zander, Marla Neal and Nyakoat Dojiok.

With the margin only five at the final break, the game was well within reach again.

After some brilliant defensive work by Hales, Dojiok got her second for the day and the Pies lead for the first time.

Unfortunately, the Cats quickly answered back and got the remaining three goals for the quarter.

Assistant coach Martha Cantwell took some positives out of the game despite the loss.

“It was probably not the start that we wanted but our backs held up really well in the first half under a lot of pressure with their inside 50s”, Cantwell said.

“We just struggled to get the ball forward, but we made some positional changes and we reset and went back to basics at half time and we were able to actually compete in the third”, Cantwell said.

“Our third quarter was definitely our best and definitely the footy we want to be playing hopefully moving forward into the finals series”, Cantwell said.

Nicole Hales was Collingwood’s best on ground today, racking up 23 disposals and was extremely influential in the backline.

“Her one-on-one contest and decision making behind her ball use was excellent and we are really happy with how she went today”, Cantwell said.

Demi Hallett also executed her role really well, laying 8 tackles and applying pressure throughout the game.

“We had Demi in a lockdown role, she did a really good job in stopping Sheer throughout the game”, Cantwell.

Collingwood are still a chance of holding their sixth position on the ladder but will wait on the results of today’s match.

Collingwood 4.2 (26)

Geelong: 6.9 (45)

Goals

Collingwood: Dojiok 2, Neal, Zander

Geelong: Caris, Degiacomi, Pratt, Ramsay, Scott, Skinner

Best

Collingwood: Hales, Zander, Hallett, Dojiok, Neal, King