Jamie Elliott has kicked 4 objectives in his a hundred and fiftieth recreation to assist Collingwood upset Melbourne by seven factors and stamp themselves as a real AFL premiership menace.
The lead swung on the final 5 objectives of a pulsating contest on the MCG on Friday evening earlier than the Magpies prevailed 15.6 (96) to 13.11 (89) in entrance of 70,956 followers.
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It was Collingwood’s tenth win by a margin of lower than two objectives in a rollicking first season beneath Craig McRae, lifting them into second spot on the ladder.
However the fallout may damage, with Will Hoskin-Elliott (hip flexor) substituted out, Nick Daicos (ribs) damage and Mason Cox set to come back beneath scrutiny for driving his knee up into Max Gawn’s abdomen at a ruck contest.
Ash Johnson matched Elliott’s tally with 4 objectives, Daicos (31 disposals) was sensible at half-back, Jordan De Goey (24 touches, 9 clearances) had an affect within the center and hard-working ahead Brody Mihocek (two objectives) performed a key function against Steven Could.
Clayton Oliver (42 disposals, 14 clearances) was greatest afield for Melbourne and Gawn (31, 10) was very good, whereas Ben Brown and Bayley Fritsch kicked two objectives every.
However they could not cease an irresistible second-half surge from Collingwood, who trailed by 23 factors throughout the second quarter and kicked seven objectives to 3 after the primary break to overpower the reigning premiers.
The fuse was lit for a red-hot contest when Ed Langdon branded Collingwood “a little bit of a one-trick pony” in a radio interview on Thursday.
The response was certainly one of intent, with the Melbourne wingman crunched by Brayden Maynard within the opening exchanges and instantly set upon by three different Magpies.
Elliott marked his milestone with two first-quarter objectives however it was the Demons who led by eight factors after a fast-paced opening time period.
Each Langdon contact was booed by the Magpie Military and Melbourne followers additionally discovered a villain to jeer when Cox thrust his knee into Gawn at a ball-up.
Melbourne dominated normal play within the second time period due to their sensible midfield – Christian Petracca (36 disposals) and Andrew Brayshaw (32) had been outstanding — and will simply have led by greater than 17 factors at half-time.
However Collingwood stored themselves in it with superior effectivity, crafting eight objectives from simply 18 ahead entries to the Demons’ 10 from 41.
The Magpies evened up the midfield battle and attacked the competition with ferocity within the third quarter and reduce the margin to seven factors by the ultimate change.
Daicos was crunched in a Fritsch deal with when he was referred to as to play on after a mark however returned in ache after having his ribs checked.
The lead modified fingers 5 occasions in an epic last quarter earlier than Collingwood hit the entrance for the final time by way of Johnson, who transformed a free kick after being pushed within the again by Harrison Petty.
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AAP
