COLLINGWOOD defender Tyson Goldsack says his side is likely to earn more respect after knocking off fellow top-four aspirant the Western Bulldogs in a Friday night thriller at Docklands.
While the 17.9 (111) to 16.14 (110) win might not have been as convincing as it could have been – courtesy of the Bulldogs’ barnstorming finish – the four premiership points means the Magpies have won their past seven matches.
Mick Malthouse’s team also jumps to 10 wins – equal third with the Dogs and only percentage off third position.
“It’s a massive game … these crunch games, we won against Essendon [last week] and we’ve won this game,” Goldsack said after Friday’s nail-biter.
> Watch Heath Shaw speak to CTV in the rooms after the one-point win
“Now we’ve got Hawthorn and Carlton [in the next two weeks], so another two big games. We’re just proving that as a side we’ve kind of matured in the way we can win the big games on a big stage like tonight.”
Goldsack admitted relief at hearing the final siren, after the Bulldogs had piled on 6.5 to 1.2 in the final term.
“I’m definitely a scoreboard watcher,” he said.
> Watch the team sign the song in the rooms after the win
“In that last quarter they really had the crowd behind them. That crowd was so loud and they had the momentum going their way.
“Not having the scoreboard telling you how long there is to go is pretty tough. We got the word that there was only 20 seconds to go but they got it forward again so I was still a bit nervous … It was just great to get over the line.”
Goldsack formed part of a Collingwood backline that, while conceding 16 goals on the night, proved effective enough to grab the win.
Nick Maxwell led superbly while Heath Shaw, Simon Prestigiacomo and Harry O’Brien all played strong supporting roles.
Goldsack says it’s nice just to be back in the senior line-up after varying his year between the top and lower grades.
“It was kind of up and down at the start and I’ve just found a bit of form in the VFL and I’ve worked my way into a winning side which is always a positive,” he said.
“I’m obviously back in now and hopefully I can stay in for the rest of the year.”
His match highlight against the Bulldogs was a no-brainer – and couldn’t have come at a better time either for him or his side.
> Watch Mick Malthouse address the media after the match
Moments after spraying a kick mid-way through the third term – which had incurred the wrath of teammate Heath Shaw – Goldsack again pushed forward to be on the end of some Dane Swan handiwork.
A super, running goal from 48m sparked a memorable celebration from the 192cm defender
“I don’t get to kick goals often, so when I do it, [I’ve got to] make the most of it!” he said.
