Collingwood Win In Style[/b]
Collingwood survived a last-quarter challenge from Essendon to win a pulsating AFL Anzac Day clash by 23 points.
The Magpies turned around a 37-point deficit early in the second quarter to win 12.11 (83) to 8.12 (60) in front of 91,731 fans at the MCG. It gives Collingwood an 11-8 advantage over Essendon, plus one draw, in the annual blockbuster which was first played in 1995. Magpies star Dane Swan returned to form and won the Anzac Medal, kicking four goals. Captain Scott Pendlebury and fellow midfielder Dayne Beams were also outstanding. Swan's fourth goal at 19 minutes into the last term sealed the result after Essendon pulled to within eight points earlier in the quarter. Collingwood are on a roll with their third straight win, while Essendon are in trouble after losing their last three.
Dyson Heppell was best for the Bombers, but too many key players were down. Captain Jobe Watson struggled against Brent Macaffer's tag and key forward Jake Carlisle again had a poor match. The win could come at a cost for Collingwood, with Alex Fasolo subbed out in the third term with a foot injury. Clinton Young also was forced out of the game in the third quarter and will come under video scrutiny for high contact with Paul Chapman. In a remarkable first half 11 of 12 goals were kicked at the Punt Rd end as first Essendon and then Collingwood dominated. Essendon led by 31 points at quarter time and then kicked the first goal of the second term for their 37-point break.
They were on the verge of killing off the game, but Collingwood did not let the rubber band snap. Jessie White, one of Collingwood's best, kicked their first goal eight minutes into the second term. With Young dominating across the centre, Collingwood gradually took control. Three successive goals to the Saints cut the margin to 13 points. A tremendous goal from 45 metres out by Jonathan Brown gave the Lions a handy 19-point buffer at three-quarter time, 10.9 (69) to 7.8 (50).
The Saints kept coming, with two goals early in the last quarter to Jack Billings and Nick Riewoldt.
Brown provided another steadying goal for the Lions but a goal to Montagna followed by Rhys Stanley's strong mark and goal levelled the scores at the 12-minute mark. Redden's second goal put the Lions back in front by six points. With less than two minutes on the clock, Farren Ray missed a shot on the run for the Saints from 30 metres out. A free kick to Brisbane, plus a 50-metre penalty against Shane Savage, gave Brisbane some relief at half-back and the Lions held on for a tense three-point win.
The Magpies turned around a 37-point deficit early in the second quarter to win 12.11 (83) to 8.12 (60) in front of 91,731 fans at the MCG. It gives Collingwood an 11-8 advantage over Essendon, plus one draw, in the annual blockbuster which was first played in 1995. Magpies star Dane Swan returned to form and won the Anzac Medal, kicking four goals. Captain Scott Pendlebury and fellow midfielder Dayne Beams were also outstanding. Swan's fourth goal at 19 minutes into the last term sealed the result after Essendon pulled to within eight points earlier in the quarter. Collingwood are on a roll with their third straight win, while Essendon are in trouble after losing their last three.
Dyson Heppell was best for the Bombers, but too many key players were down. Captain Jobe Watson struggled against Brent Macaffer's tag and key forward Jake Carlisle again had a poor match. The win could come at a cost for Collingwood, with Alex Fasolo subbed out in the third term with a foot injury. Clinton Young also was forced out of the game in the third quarter and will come under video scrutiny for high contact with Paul Chapman. In a remarkable first half 11 of 12 goals were kicked at the Punt Rd end as first Essendon and then Collingwood dominated. Essendon led by 31 points at quarter time and then kicked the first goal of the second term for their 37-point break.
They were on the verge of killing off the game, but Collingwood did not let the rubber band snap. Jessie White, one of Collingwood's best, kicked their first goal eight minutes into the second term. With Young dominating across the centre, Collingwood gradually took control. Three successive goals to the Saints cut the margin to 13 points. A tremendous goal from 45 metres out by Jonathan Brown gave the Lions a handy 19-point buffer at three-quarter time, 10.9 (69) to 7.8 (50).
The Saints kept coming, with two goals early in the last quarter to Jack Billings and Nick Riewoldt.
Brown provided another steadying goal for the Lions but a goal to Montagna followed by Rhys Stanley's strong mark and goal levelled the scores at the 12-minute mark. Redden's second goal put the Lions back in front by six points. With less than two minutes on the clock, Farren Ray missed a shot on the run for the Saints from 30 metres out. A free kick to Brisbane, plus a 50-metre penalty against Shane Savage, gave Brisbane some relief at half-back and the Lions held on for a tense three-point win.