CTV > Mick Malthouse's post-match press conference
CTV > Dale Thomas talks to CTV after the game
CTV > See the boys singing the song after the victory
COLLINGWOOD has ended the Sydney Swans’ six-game winning streak and reignited its top-four hopes with a 29-point win at ANZ Stadium.
In a game that failed to reach any great heights as a spectacle, the Pies were more desperate from the first bounce and deserved the 11.13 (79) to 6.14 (50) victory in front of 59,202 fans.
Travis Cloke and Dale Thomas were outstanding up forward with three goals each, while Nick Maxwell and Harry O’Brien were clear winners in defence.
Swans forwards Michael O’Loughlin, Barry Hall and Ryan O’Keefe managed just one goal apiece and the home side’s runners rarely had space to generate any forward thrusts.
Thomas set the tone for Collingwood in the first quarter, taking a classic hanger over the pack for the game’s first goal and following it up with some desperate tackling.
But despite the visitors’ endeavour, they generally lacked polish going into attack.
In fact, both sides struggled to hit targets and the errors weren’t always brought about by opposition pressure.
The Swans hit back through a clever Craig Bird snap from the pocket, but it was clear the week off had done little to sharpen their skills.
They matched Collingwood’s profligacy in front of goal and the visitors took a two-point lead into the first change that could have been much greater.
Thomas opened the second quarter in much the same way he finished the first, proving too agile and strong in the air for the Swans’ defence.
He marked strongly twice in the first five minutes and converted the second attempt, to the relief of the travelling Magpies contingent.
Neither side looked remotely likely to cut the other to ribbons, and it was fitting that Cloke put the Pies further in front after intercepting an errant handball in the goalsquare.
A minute later, Thomas took his second hanger of the night and goaled, giving Collingwood a 22-point lead that was a considerable margin in the context of the contest.
Seemingly inspired, Collingwood began to move the ball more cleanly through the midfield, with the likes of Dane Swan and Tarkyn Lockyer prominent.
More slick ball movement gave the lion-hearted Cloke a 60m shot with an empty goalsquare and he duly split the middle, giving his side a 26-point lead at half time.
The interval did little to raise the quality of the game, but in a way that suited Collingwood.
The Magpies’ incessant pressure continued to quell the Swans’ running game and while it wasn’t always pretty it was certainly effective.
Playing his 50th game, O’Brien completely negated Ryan O’Keefe’s influence, while Maxwell was outstanding across half back.
The first goal of the third term was 15 minutes in the making and it came from Paul Medhurst’s clever snap.
Heath Shaw’s heated response to the umpire’s whistle earned Jarred Moore a 50m penalty. His resultant goal was the Swans’ first since the 17-minute mark of the first term.
Shaw redeemed himself with a fierce tackle to earn a shot at the other end, but in keeping with the evening’s theme, he missed.
Fortunately, Medhurst had no trouble finding the middle a minute later and when Cloke slotted his third goal from a free kick, the Pies had a 41-point lead at the last change.
The Swans showed a sense of theatre in the final quarter, booting the first three goals of the quarter to cut the margin to 21 points and lift the partisan crowd.
They had several chances to reduce the gap further but settling goals to Cameron Wood, Alan Didak and late inclusion John Anthony ensured the Pies recorded a deserved victory.
Collingwood now returns to the MCG to take on fellow finals contender Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.
COLLINGWOOD 1.5 5.7 8.12 11.13 (79)
SYDNEY 1.3 1.5 2.7 6.14 (50)
Goals: Collingwood: D Thomas 3 T Cloke 3 P Medhurst 2 C Wood J Anthony A Didak. Sydney: C Bird J Moore M O'Loughlin B Hall R O'Keefe H Playfair.
Best: Collingwood: D Swan D Thomas S Wakelin T Cloke S O'Bree A Didak. Sydney: C Bird L Barry B Kirk J McVeigh D Jolly J Bolton.
Umpires: M Vozzo H Kennedy S Meredith.
Crowd: 59,202 at ANZ Stadium.
