COLLINGWOOD has moved into third position and strengthened its grip on a double finals chance with a 21-point victory over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.
Continuing their impressive record on the road, the Pies weathered the wasteful Crows' domination of the game's middle stages with a clinical second-half display to win 13.11 (89) to 9.14 (68).
John Anthony kicked three goals from 12 marks for the visitors and was well supported by Alan Didak, Travis Cloke and Chris Dawes, who had two each.
Didak also had 31 possessions, Dane Swan continued his stellar season with 30 and Harry O'Brien and Heath Shaw played important roles in defence to finish with 28 apiece.
Cameron Wood (24 possessions, 19 hit-outs and two goals) dominated the ruck in Josh Fraser's continued absence.
For Adelaide, Jason Porplyzia managed three goals, but his teammates weren't able to make the most of their opportunities with only Chris Knights kicking more than one.
Simon Goodwin (34 possessions), Bernie Vince (33) and Scott Thompson (35) were the best of the Crows' midfielders.
Having learned from their slow start against the Crows in round one, the Pies jumped out of the blocks. Strong tackling pressure coupled with good ball movement allowed Didak to snap an early trademark goal.
Anthony bombed long from outside 50 after Thompson was caught in the middle and Adelaide was lucky not to be more than 14 points behind as the Pies wasted chances to extend their lead.
The Crows finally settled and kicked back-to-back goals through Brett Burton and Chris Knights, but it was the Pies still led by the smallest of margins at quarter time.
The second quarter was a tale of missed opportunities, particularly for Adelaide which kicked six consecutive behinds after Kurt Tippett had goaled to put the side in front.
Wood found Collingwood’s only major for the term from a free kick and the Pies were left to rue missed opportunities too as they entered the main break three points behind.
In a high-possession half, Vince already had 21 touches for the Crows and Goodwin 20, while Shaw had 17 for the Pies.
Adelaide returned from the break on the front foot and kicked a couple of early goals, but Collingwood refused to lie down.
Trailing by 15 points, the Pies' forwards began to lift.
Anthony was becoming a constant threat up forward and was rewarded for his hard running with two goals. He combined with Cloke as the Pies kicked four without reply ahead of the final change.
Swan, who had been held to 13 possessions at half time, claimed 10 touches for the quarter and was instrumental in Collingwood's turn of fortune, while O'Brien was providing plenty of run from defence with 10 disposals.
And though skipper Nick Maxwell wore a very heavy bump from Graham Johncock, he was able to return to the field.
Six points ahead, Didak kicked the crucial first goal of the last quarter, but the Crows immediately responded through Andrew McLeod.
However, the Pies were doing a great job of shutting the Crows down and found reward in a goal to Brad Dick, who had kicked two behinds to that stage.
But again Adelaide hit back quickly as Brad Symes found space to bomb home.
With patience, Collingwood iced the clock in an attempt to frustrate Adelaide and it worked.
A very good build-up finished with Dawes, who found the space to mark uncontested and wrap up a very important result.
Adelaide 2.4 3.10 6.13 9.14 (68)
Collingwood 2.5 3.7 8.7 13.11 (89)
GOALS
Adelaide: Porplyzia 3, Knights 2, Burton, Tippett, McLeod, Symes
Collingwood: Anthony 3, Dawes 2, Didak 2, Cloke 2, Wood 2, Dick, Thomas
BEST
Adelaide: Goodwin, Vince, Porplyzia, Thompson, McLeod, Stevens
Collingwood: Didak, Swan, Pendlebury, O’Brien, Prestigiacomo, Shaw, Wood
INJURIES
Adelaide: Burton (corked buttock)
Collingwood: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: McLaren, Ryan, Jeffery
Official crowd: 45,128 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
