The Result
Collingwood: 3.6 7.9 10.11 14.12 (96)
Geelong: 2.4 6.6 7.12 11.18 (84)
Goals: 4 Pendlebury, 3 Fasolo, 2 Cloke, 2 Goldsack, Blair, Dawes, Swan
Disposals: 38 Sidebottom, 30 Pendlebury, 30 Shaw, 28 Beams, 27 Swan
The Grand Final rematch. It didn’t disappoint (except for the crowd with 75,650 in attendance).
The Magpies had the momentum from the outset with Scott Pendlebury kicking two early goals, already doubling his season total in the first 17 minutes of the opening term.
Collingwood led marginally in the stats that count after two quarters. Contested possession, total disposals and efficiency were all contributed to a nine-point lead.
Steele Sidebottom was everywhere in the first half collecting 18 disposals and had support from Dayne Beams and Dane Swan with 15 each.
Ben Reid's goal saving tackle on Tom Hawkins in the second term led to a Swan goal and has now been uploaded on CTV (watch it above to provide you with a Monday lift).
After the main break and an opening goal to the Cats, the Magpies kicked the next four goals to hold a 23-point lead with 18 minutes left in the final term.
A lack of personnel led to a Geelong fight back. Swan was off early with a hamstring complaint, Reid hobbled to the bench a little later with a quad issue and the sub had already been enacted with Alan Didak in the red vest late in the third term.
Goals from Duncan, Hawkins, Cloke and then two from Stokes saw scores level with 99 seconds left.
Enter Pendlebury.
Out of the bounce the vice captain, tagged by Joel Corey, collected the footy, laid a tackle and didn’t stop running when Geelong eventually won the clearance.
The play: Alex Fasolo looked to handball off to a sprinting Pendlebury and Josh Hunt’s reaction saw the 50 metre penalty called. A one-goal buffer with 62 seconds left.
The view from behind the goals captures Pendlebury assuring his young teammate that he is more than capable of kicking the goal.
Pendlebury’s blitzing run was on display moments later when he won the footy from the bounce (again) and ran forward, received it from Jarryd Blair by hand, and kicked his fourth goal for the night.
3 votes, S. Pendlebury.
Bucks’ take
In the end we needed to find our composure with the ball in that front half of the field, find the right option and finish a bit better. Ultimately, in the last two minutes in particular, we were able to do that .
Over the fence
We certainly had our chances to win it. I thought we were playing really well towards the end, and unfortunately we just weren't good enough in the end. We lost the crucial contests at the wrong time. But I thought in that last quarter we just dominated.
The medical room
More bad news with Reid (quad) and Swan (hamstring) both going down with injuries in the final term. The club will have further information later in the day.
What does it mean?
- Collingwood’s fifth win in a row sets up a tantilising encounter with an interstate match against inform Adelaide.
- Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Thompson, Dangerfield.
- If you haven’t succumbed to purchasing Foxtel, this game could justify it.
Collingwood cartoon
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View more of Jack Chadwick's work for the club here.
