Back-to-back wins for the VFL, a nail-biting 4 point victory after Coburg threatened to comeback from a 38 point three quarter time deficit.

Q1

The Pies were hot in the first quarter, keeping the visiting side to 0 points at the first break.

It all started with a goal from Jack Ginnivan after Mason Cox handed over the ball running in on goal. Ginnivan was fantastic all day, perhaps his best performance in a black and white jumper. Finishing with 3 goals for the day, his work up and down the ground was instrumental all afternoon.

Co-captain Campbell Hustwaite made the most of two 50m penalties in the first quarter, slotting the Pies 2nd and 3rd goals. Hustwaite was industrious along the wing, standing up in important moments and leading his side to victory. 24 disposals for the day, Hustwaite played his role to a tee.

Brayden Sier continues to build his form, putting pressure on the senior side. 27 disposals this afternoon, backing up from a strong performance last week, Bear is putting together a really strong VFL season. The midfielder is particularly strong early in games, starting off the match with 10 disposals in the first quarter. Throwing his weight around and applying pressure in the contest, look for Sier to reach senior selection in the coming weeks.

QT Score - Collingwood 3.4.22 v Coburg 0.0.0

Q2

It was a game of momentum swings, and the 2nd term was all Coburg. Their slow start was very quickly turned around as they kicked 5 goals to 1 in the quarter to have the lead at the major break.

An unfortunate ankle injury early in the term ended Reef McInnes’ day.

Turning the heat up, the Pies were exposed to a tough Coburg presence. Jay Rantall felt that more than others, receiving a huge knock to the eye that gushed blood and required stitches. Despite this, Rantall battled on all afternoon. Returning to the VFL side after gaining some senior experience in the last two weeks, he finished with 26 disposals in an impressive display.

The youngster Youseph Dib continues to impress. Dib kicked 2.2 for the afternoon and utilises his speed and agility to create opportunities out of nothing.

HT Score - Collingwood 4.5.29 v Coburg 5.6.36+

Q3

An opportunity to regroup at half time seemed to be the perfect remedy for the Pies who came out in the third term absolutely smoking hot. Liam McMahon kicked his first, running into an open goal thanks to a selfless play from Jack Ginnivan.

Mason Cox kicked his first after a good mark to put the Pies back in front. Cox was only able to make his presence felt once on the scoreboard, but his marking and experience was crucial in moments where the Pies needed someone to step up.

A quarter of excellence from Jack Ginnivan, who kicked 2 goals in a row to extend the Pies’ lead.

The moment of the quarter came when Trent Bianco intercepted a lazy Coburg kick. Bianco stole the ball mid air, landed like a cat and had the skill to put the ball through the big sticks from 45m out on the run. Bianco was brilliant all day, his first official match in the black and white and what a game it was. 29 disposals to go with his goal, Bianco also led the team for tackles with 7. If he is able to maintain this level in the coming weeks then it wouldn’t be surprising if Bucks looks to give him some experience in the senior side.

Finlay Macrae was solid in his return to VFL. 31 disposals was a match-high for the day. A mixture of different playing styles in the midfield made for a dynamic performance around the contest. Macrae’s ability to find the ball and feed it to outside runners, combined with his spread and run made for a fantastic performance.

3QT Score - Collingwood 12.10.82 v Coburg 6.8.44

Q4

The largest momentum swing of the match came after three quarter time. Sitting comfortable with a 38 point lead going into the final term, it would be fair enough to suggest an sense of complacency came over the boys.

The pleasures of a comfortable lead disappeared quickly as Coburg started hitting the scoreboard. 4 goals in just as many minutes to start the final term brought the lead back to a very manageable 13 points.

Jacob Booth settled the ship with his first goal of the afternoon, 13 minutes into he quarter.

Another 2 goals from the visitors had the margin back to a measly 7 points.

Known by his team mates as ‘Rat’ for the way he scurries around the forward 50, Sam Fowler stepped up exactly when his the Pies needed him. Fowler kicked 3 goals for the day, but none were more important than his goal in the final term to stretch the Collingwood lead back to 13 points. An awesome tackling effort earned him a holding-the-ball free kick and he was good enough to go back and kick the goal from the edge of 50m.

A quick reply from Coburg had the margin back to just 6 points, but fortunately after a nervous last couple of minutes the siren went and heart rates returned to a normal level.

Collingwood winning by just 4 points.

Collingwood 14.11.95 defeated Coburg 13.13.91

Goals: Fowler 3, Ginnivan 3, Dib 2, Hustwaite 2, Bianco, Booth, Cox, McMahon
Best: Bianco, Fowler, Ginnivan, Sier, Tardrew, Kelly