23 September
Peter Daicos' goal in the 1990 Qualifying Final against West Coast is categorically regarded as one the greatest of all-time, and rightfully so, but perhaps the defining goal of that year came from Scott Russell in the final thirty seconds of the third quarter in the Second-Semi Final against Essendon.
It was on this day, a sunny Sunday afternoon, in front of 91,555 at the MCG. The Magpies were up by 12 points at half-time and edging away with four goals to two in the third term, when the Bombers' Simon Madden and Derek Kickett converged in the centre, hoping to give their side one last glimpse of a compensatory goal before the three-quarter time siren.
A classic befuddle ensued. Madden handballed to Kickett, who gave it back to Madden, and in turn back to Kickett, all the while getting nowhere as a posse of Magpies closed in on their periphery. Kickett took one bounce, and with the options narrowing, took another as his body contorted in circles, with the footy falling cruelly loose straight to an obliging Scotty Russell. He unwrapped the bow from the unexpected gift, took a few steps and from forty five metres slotted it through the big sticks. Up went the one arm and pointed finger in celebration!
Collingwood jumped to a 28-point lead, carrying all the momentum heading into the last quarter. The Bombers sulked their way to the huddle, at least two of them fearful of an imminent Kevin Sheedy verbal dousing, and reeling from their Keystone Cops moment. Humming, perhaps, the Benny Hill signature theme song.
It was all Black and White from that moment - the Pies added another five goals, as the Bombers stalled at seven goals, ensuring a 63-point demolition.
Collingwood 17.15.117 thrashed Essendon 7.12.54.
Gavin Brown kicked five goals and Daicos and Barwick three each. Others to impress were McGuane, Banks, Morwood and South Australian dynamos Russell and Francis.
The Magpies were into their first Grand Final in nine years. And suddenly, and in many parts because of that Scotty Russell capitalisation, Collingwood held all the cards.
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Tonight in 2011, Collingwood and Hawthorn fought out a classic Preliminary Final in front of 87,112 at the MCG.
Down by 17 points at three-quarter time, and with just five goals on the board, the Maggies looked doomed. Twenty minutes later, Travis Cloke had kicked his third goal for the match to put his side up by two points.
The match only afforded two more goals, and classics they were.
Resident match-winner Lance Franklin swooped on the footy, tight against the forward pocket boundary, with Chris Tarrant hot in pursuit, on the wrong side for a left footer. He kicked it low on the outside of the boot, conjuring a magnificent goal. Not quite a companion piece to Daicos' goal against the Eagles in 1990, but a little sister maybe. A second cousin, at the very least.
It wasn't all said and done for the Woods just yet. Two minutes later, off the umpire's bounce some 40 metres from Collingwood's goal, Luke Ball roved the contest, and snapped truly off his left foot to win back the lead. He was getting good at this, having kicked the match sealer a fortnight earlier against the Eagles.
One final heroic act assured the win. With Cyril Rioli threatening to cut through the centre and set up one last play for goal, Dale Thomas ran him down with a desperation tackle, and was justly rewarded with a free kick.
Collingwood played out time and won an all-time beauty - 10.8.68 to 9.11.65.
Best for the Pies - Swan (32 disposals), Pendlebury (32), Cloke, Jolly, Ball and Leon Davis.
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On this day in 1939, in the Preliminary final between Collingwood and St Kilda, Ron Todd kicked 11 goals to guide the Pies to a last quarter runaway 29-point victory. The goal kicking ace had achieved the same remarkable feat in the equivalent final twelve months earlier, in a 37-point eclipse of Geelong. He had a brilliant final series in '39, kicking 23 goals in three matches.
