The Pies took on a strong Footscray VFL side in a practice match on Friday afternoon at the Holden Centre.

With the number 1 pick from the 2020 national draft Jamarra Ugle-Hagan spearheading Footscray, on paper they looked the favoured side. But in what was a tightly contested, fast paced and entertaining affair, a young Collingwood line-up put in a great effort to hold on for victory. 

Read on for the full match summary. 

Quarter 1

The Pies were electric to start, fast moving football clinically capped off by the forwards.

Finlay Macrae particularly impressive through the midfield, using his speed and carry to break the lines.

Campbell Hustwaite was dynamic around the goals, kicking two for the quarter.

Footscray's number one draft pick most impressive, kicking three goals for the term.

QT Score: Pies 6.8.44 - Footscray 3.1.19

Quarter 2

The Bulldogs came back tough to start the second quarter, with the first three goals of the term.

Isaac Chugg was a standout performer for the quarter demonstrating his poise in the backline. Often playing on a man taller than him, Chugg’s hunt for the ball and dedication to the contest kept the dangerous Dogs forward line at bay.

The tide was stemmed by a Max Lynch volley on the goal line thanks to some fantastic forward 50 pressure from the likes of Beau McCreery.

The intensity lifted from the Pies after that, booting another two goals for the term thanks to Lochlan Jenkins and Billy Geurts’ 2nd for the afternoon.

HT score: Pies 9.9.63 - Footscray 7.4.46

Quarter 3

Footscray's speed off half-back was a real theme for the quarter.

The Pies relied heavily on the experience of Levi Greenwood and Chris Mayne to settle what was a young Collingwood VFL side. 

Greenwood’s versatility across half-back as well as through the midfield puts him in great stead for a return to senior football sooner rather than later. 

Jay Rantall played significant midfield minutes as he looks to build pressure on the senior side. He was noticeably clean with his hands while providing great speed and agility around the contest.

Max Lynch kicked his second for the match after Liam McMahon showed his speed through half forward.

McMahon’s natural forward prowess impressed on the day.

3QT score: Pies 11.10.76 - Footscray 13.4.82

Quarter 4

Sam Fowler got the quarter underway after some great pressure from Jack Ginnivan and Jay Rantall created a forward half turnover.

Straight from the centre bounce the Pies surged forward, some fast handballs from Liam McMahon, Finlay Macrae and Cody Stackleberg found Lochlan Jenkins on the end of another great team play.

The Pies had all of the play for the first half of the last quarter. Darcy Cameron’s class in the ruck and around the game become particularly prominent. While Billy Guerts slotted his third as the Pies built a more comfortable lead.

The Bulldogs fought valiantly into the latter parts of the final term with key forwards Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Josh Schache proving particularly dangerous. However, the backline were able to hold on. Nathan Murphy’s athleticism on show with some stunning spoils.

Nathan Murphy's composure and delivery to the forwards was vital in the sides final term resurgence. With only minutes remaining on the clock, Darcy Cameron plucked one out of the air 25 meters out and put it through the big sticks to ensure the Pies would come away with the win. 

FT score: Pies 15.12.102 - Footscray 14.9.93

BEST: Murphy, Macrae, Rantall, Mccreery, Mayne, Schreiber