Resurgent Collingwood are one win away from a outstanding grand closing berth after beating Fremantle by 20 factors to cost into an AFL preliminary closing.
4 unanswered first-quarter targets set the Magpies up for a 11.13 (79) to 9.5 (59) semi-final victory that booked a final-four date with Sydney on the SCG.
The victory, headlined by Jordan De Goey’s excellent midfield show in entrance of 90,612 on the MCG, provides one other layer to Collingwood’s unlikely rise from seventeenth to the highest 4 underneath new coach Craig McRae.
De Goey (24 touches, six clearances and 12 rating involvements) starred alongside Jack Crisp (two targets, 24 disposals and 6 clearances).
Jeremy Howe and Darcy Moore marshalled a well-drilled defence whereas Jack Ginnivan kicked three targets.
Following their dramatic elimination closing comeback win over the Western Bulldogs, Fremantle had hoped to dish up a sterner first-quarter efficiency on Saturday evening.
As a substitute, the Dockers once more regarded like deer caught within the finals headlights, with solely Collingwood’s inaccuracy making for a flattering scoreboard.
Caleb Serong (34 disposals, 16 contested possessions) and Lachie Schultz (two targets) stored Fremantle within the sport, whereas wingman Blake Acres, defender Luke Ryan and retiring veteran David Mundy have been busy.
Within the first minute, headline-grabbing Magpie Ginnivan instinctively stayed down as everybody else flew near aim, coolly soccered house the opener, then pounded his chest and fist-pumped in delight.
Shortly after, Fremantle’s Rory Lobb took a strong contested mark however dragged his set shot vast.
From there, Collingwood’s resolute press stored the toothless Dockers at bay whereas Brody Mihocek, De Goey and Jamie Elliott nudged the Magpies to a four-goal benefit at quarter-time.
Schultz nailed Fremantle’s first early within the second and added one other later within the time period.
However Collingwood have been dominant, with their wasteful 2.6 for the quarter maintaining the half-time margin at a flattering 27 factors.
Schultz teed up Griffin Logue for the opening aim of the third time period earlier than Ginnivan ended the Magpies’ run of 9 consecutive factors with a intelligent aim in visitors to increase the result in 31.
De Goey fended off Jordan Clark and teed up Mihocek for one more earlier than Michael Walters’ good snap gave the Dockers a pulse on the closing break.
However Mason Cox snuffed out any hope of a outstanding Dockers comeback when he nabbed his a centesimal AFL aim early within the closing time period.
Mundy, 37, kicked his 161st aim in his 376th and closing sport halfway by means of the fourth quarter.
It began a run of three Dockers targets that did little however make for a flattering closing margin.
Reside updates
By Dean Bilton
That is it for tonight!
Collingwood flexed some muscle tonight, and it feels proper that they are going to be going through off in a preliminary closing subsequent week. They’re removed from carried out.
Fremantle, alternatively, can sit up for 2023. They’ve had a wonderful season, an actual breakthrough yr underneath Justin Longmuir, and they are going to be higher for it subsequent yr. They will not be going wherever, the Dockers are simply getting began.
That is all from me although. Thanks to your firm tonight, and I’ll see you proper again right here subsequent week for preliminary closing weekend.
By Dean Bilton
Mason Cox turns rover
It was at this actual second that Fremantle realised it wasn’t going to be their evening.
By Dean Bilton
A second for David Mundy
All 90,000 individuals contained in the MCG stand to applaud David Mundy off the sector, as he completes his 376th and closing AFL sport.
A participant revered throughout the board and completely beloved at Fremantle. A profession to be happy with, and a person to admire.
By Dean Bilton
Key Occasion
FT: Pies win! Collingwood are by means of to preliminary closing!
This unbelievable Collingwood story will characteristic not less than yet one more chapter, and who’s to say there will not be much more to return after that? The Pies have been comfortably the higher facet tonight, held again solely by their very own inaccuracy. However the margin wasn’t vital tonight, it was all concerning the consequence.
And so Collingwood will play Sydney on the SCG subsequent Saturday in a preliminary closing. It does not get a complete lot extra tantalising than that.
By Dean Bilton
1′: Right here comes the siren…
You can hear the roar from wherever you’re in Australia.
By Dean Bilton
2′: Lobb hooks by means of one other behind
So we’re counting all the way down to the siren now, because the Collingwood chant echoes across the ‘G.
By Dean Bilton
4′: Oh my goodness, aim of the evening from Frederick
It isn’t going to depend for a lot, however that’s OBSCENE from Freddy. He put the jets on about 60 metres from aim, ran to the junction of the 50 and the boundary line and in some way threaded a drop punt straight by means of the center. That is fairly unbelievable.
By Dean Bilton
5′: Frederick will get the faucet from Acres and targets
Intelligent little backhand from Blake Acres to the onrushing Michael Frederick, who finishes the job from the goalsquare. The margin most likely flatters Freo, however they’ve chipped away proper till the ultimate siren right here.
By Dean Bilton
7′: Hoskin-Elliott marks instantly in entrance
Younger simply chucked it on his boot in defence, however WHE was in the suitable place on the proper time. However his shot fades to the suitable of the goalpost, one other behind.
By Dean Bilton
10′: David Mundy kicks a aim!
There is a second for you! Informal as you want on the run from 45, the trusty proper foot of David Mundy does not let the Dockers down. If that is his final aim in AFL footy, it is one to cherish.
By Dean Bilton
11′: Ginnivan makes no mistake! Pies are house!
That is three targets for Ginnivan who has carried out his job after which some tonight.
By Dean Bilton
11′: Ginnivan sneaks by means of to mark!
I do not assume that kick was meant for Jack Ginnivan, however he simply wished it extra and skim it greatest. If he kicks this, the lid may come off the MCG…
By Dean Bilton
By Dean Bilton
14′: Walters kicks the aim for Freo
Some late scoring for Fremantle. Nonetheless solely 32 factors? It isn’t not possible?
By Dean Bilton
14′: Serong finds Walters inside 50
Pretty centre clearance from Freo, Darcy discovering Serong on the transfer. Walters strains up for second…
By Dean Bilton
15′: Crisp kicks one other! Pies can get together now!
Look out Sydney, Collingwood are coming your method.
By Dean Bilton
15′: Here is Jack Crisp inside 50
Bit too simple for the Collingwood to go finish to finish. Crisp labored so onerous to get on the top of that chain, however has he obtained the stamina to transform the shot?
By Dean Bilton
16′: Logue kicks the aim, Freo pull one again
Not a rousing celebration from Fremantle, who could now assume the sport is up.
By Dean Bilton
17′: Logue is discovered by Amiss
Pretty little kick from Jye Amiss, and now Logue can line them up from 35 metres out on a slight angle.
By Dean Bilton
18′: Jamie Elliott, what an effort
The person is a one-man ahead press. Once more he beats a number of opponents to create the turnover and pressure a stoppage inside 50. He’s one hell of a footballer.
AAP
