Luckless Collingwood defender Nathan Brown's return match lasted less than a quarter after he was crunched in a marking contest and again dislocated his right shoulder late in the opening term. West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui crashed a pack 20m out from goal, with Brown copping the brunt. The 25-year-old, who had not played at AFL level since round two, immediately ran from the MCG nursing his right arm and was substituted out of the game at quarter-time. Brown was taken to hospital, while the Pies lost another defender, Jack Frost, to concussion soon after.
2. Another Brown goes down
Magpies goalsneak Jarryd Blair booted three goals – including a brilliant checkside on the run that could feature in this round's goal of the year contenders – but he might be facing a spell on the sidelines after a second-quarter incident. Blair appeared to punch Eagles defender Mitch Brown in the stomach, forcing him from the field. Brown buckled over in front of the interchange bench after leaving the ground, although he soon returned. Blair could have a nervous wait before the Match Review Panel releases its findings on Monday.
Vote for your top three players from Collingwood's gutsy eight-point win in the Magpie Army Player of the Year Award.
3. Is 'Nic Nat' back?
He's copped plenty of criticism and been the cause of much consternation for West Coast fans, but Nic Naitanui's first game since signing a lucrative five-year contract extension showed exactly why the Eagles were desperate to lock away the big man. Naitanui 'only' had 17 possessions and didn't take a mark, but his fanatical attack on the football and high leaping were reminiscent of his All Australian year in 2012. Naitanui's desperation lifted his teammates and was illustrated by his refusal to leave the field for several minutes despite appearing dazed as he zig-zagged down the wing in the third quarter. His challenge is to give the same effort on a weekly basis.
4. Cloke quiet, again
If you're on big money you're expected to deliver - especially in close games - but Travis Cloke only booted one goal against West Coast and has just 10 majors for the season. Eagles defender Eric Mackenzie boosted his All Australian claims by shutting down Cloke until he finally hit the scoreboard with a six-pointer at the 27-minute mark of the final term. Four times this year Cloke has gone goalless and he had very little impact against the Eagles with just six possessions, three marks and 1.1.
5. Hoodoo continues for West Coast
The Eagles' dismal MCG record against Collingwood at the MCG continues to hound them. For three quarters it looked like the Eagles were about to register their first win against the Pies at the home of football since a four-point triumph in round two, 1995. However, a raucous black and white army lifted the Pies to a stirring eight-point win from 14 points down at half-time. The Pies have now won 10 of 11 clashes against West Coast at the 'G.
