Greater Western Sydney has withstood a gallant Collingwood outfit to record their second ever win at the MCG by 16 points on Saturday afternoon, albeit with the occasion being marred by two severe injuries.
The Giants came into the game overwhelming favourites to knock off the injury-hit Magpies, but were tested for large periods, with the black-and-white brigade managing to take a two-goal lead in the last quarter.
GWS were led brilliantly by Stephen Coniglio (27 disposals, three goals), Callan Ward (29 disposals) and young gun Jeremy Finlayson (23 disposals, 21 kicks, six marks) as they combined to close out a tired Magpies outfit.
The efforts of Scott Pendlebury (30 disposals, nine tackles), Jeremy Howe (27 disposals, nine marks, 11 rebound 50s), Tom Phillips (32 disposals, 10 marks, one goal) and Brodie Grundy (20 disposals, 45 hitouts, two goals) was not enough as Collingwood fell to 0-2 on the season.
However, the game will not necessarily be remembered for the action, but more for the unfortunate injuries sustained to Tim Broomhead (broken leg) and Tom Scully (ankle) inside the first quarter which saw both stretchered from the field.
Broomhead was injured within the opening ten minutes of the game when his trailing leg wrapped around the goal post as he tried to soccer home Tom Phillips’ eventual goal in a sickening incident at the Punt Road end.
Scully meanwhile had his ankle caught underneath him in a Callum Brown tackle in the final moments of the first term, and was subsequently stretchered from the field.
As the clock ticked to 39 minutes before the siren sounded, the Giants ended the term of carnage with a narrow five-point lead.
The second quarter was much of the same style - albeit injury-free - as both sides traded blows at either end.
Good work from smooth movers Pendlebury and Howe helped set the standard for the Magpies.
Once again, the quarter didn’t come without its controversy, with Collingwood fans up in arms following numerous dubious decisions from the umpires late in the term.
The day suddenly became even harder for the Magpies when Darcy Moore went down with hamstring soreness and was set to miss the remainder of the game.
Moore's absence left Collingwood with only two players on the bench and no key forwards, forcing them to rely on a makeshift forward line to get them on the path to victory.
Despite their haphazard forward attack, the Magpies managed to take the lead thanks to goals from Adam Treloar, but three in a row from the Giants and a standout term from Josh Kelly helped GWS wrestle back control.
Ben Crocker was able to slot one late and make it a one-point game heading into the final stanza as tensions ran high at the MCG and the Magpies began to smell blood.
Quick goals to Jack Crisp and James Aish put the Magpies ahead early, but a brilliant turnaround led by Coniglio - who kicked two brilliant goals of his own - put the Giants in front once more.
Will Hoskin-Elliott was able to get the Pies back within a kick with four minutes to go, but Lachie Whitfield and Jeremy Cameron were able to coolly slot home two goals to end the Magpies' valiant run.
Collingwood face the similarly win-less Carlton on Friday night at the MCG, while Greater Western Sydney take on the Sydney in the "Battle of the Bridge" next Saturday night.
COLLINGWOOD 3.2 5.3 9.7 12.7 (79) GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 4.1 6.2 10.2 15.5 (95)
GOALS Collingwood: Grundy 2, Treloar 2, Aish, Varcoe, Phillips, Thomas, Crisp, Moore, Hoskin-Elliott, Crocker Greater Western Sydney: Coniglio 3, Cameron 3, Langdon 2, Scully, Tomlinson, Whitfield, Kelly, De Boer, Himmelberg, Lloyd.
BEST Collingwood: Grundy, Phillips, Howe, Pendlebury, Sidebottom Greater Western Sydney: Coniglio, Ward, Shiel, Whitfield, Tomlinson, Finlayson
INJURIES Collingwood: Broomhead (broken leg), Moore (hamstring), Reid (hip) replaced in selection side by Broomhead Greater Western Sydney: Scully (fractured ankle), Greene (hamstring tightness) replaced in selected side by Corr
TALKING POINTS
1. MAGPIES TAKE POSITIVES OUT OF TOUGH DEFEAT AGAINST FLAG FANCY
Collingwood played a brilliant game of football and that cannot be taken away from Nathan Buckley’s men.
The unfortunate nature of the injuries to Tim Broomhead and Darcy Moore made life hard for the Magpies as they played with only two on the bench for the entire second half.
It was the never-say-die attitude of the Magpies which kept them within touching distance as their leaders stepped up to set the tone for the remainder of the team, who almost scratched and clawed their way to an improbable win.
The Magpie midfield was superb, led by the brilliant ruck-work of Brodie Grundy, the faultless Scott Pendlebury and Tom Phillips, who responded with aplomb after a poor game last week.
Matt Scharenberg meanwhile showed signs of his untapped ability, with Magpies possibly finding a new forward structure similar to that of Richmond.
A chance to rebound against the old rival faces the Magpies in a quite simply put "must-win" game to get their season back on track.
The only thing missing from this weekend was the four points.
2. CONIGLIO IS BACK, AND WITH A BANG
Stephen Coniglio was a big out for the Giants last year in their quest for their maiden flag, but in the two games since his return, he has been key for the resurgent Giant outfit.
In a tough day for the Giants' midfield, Coniglio helped will his team over the line with a fantastic effort from start-to-finish, including a career-high three goals.
With his side down early in the final term, Coniglio was able to kick two clutch goals to give his side the lead and ultimately, the four points.
The class and quality which Coniglio works at is usually overshadowed by the likes of Kelly, Ward and Shiel, but he is showing exactly why the Giants have such high-wraps on him.
A day out for the Italian Rabbit (Coniglio in Italian translates to rabbit) was integral in getting his side in the Easter mood.
3. INJURIES ARE MAKING LIFE DIFFICULT FOR BUCKLEY
With a host of talent already out for the Pies through injury, another three have now been added to the increasingly lengthening injury list after a tough Easter Saturday for Nathan Buckley.
The news of Ben Reid pulling out just before the game due to a hip injury was tough enough for the Pies whose replacement, Tim Broomhead suffered a shocking broken leg.
To add to this, Darcy Moore - their only key forward for the game - went down at half-time with hamstring soreness and missed the remainder of the game.
These three join Jamie Elliott, Jordan De Goey, Daniel Wells, Tyson Goldsack, Levi Greenwood and Alex Fasolo (returned in the VFL) on Collingwood's injury list.
If news couldn’t get even worse for Buckley, young forward Kayle Kirby collapsed in the Magpies VFL practice match with a heart issue, which could spell even more trouble for the Pies depth.
Collingwood will be sweating on the fitness of Reid and Fasolo and whether they will be ready to return next week.
The Magpies' worries may be alleviated with word that Wells, Elliott and De Goey are only weeks away and may return for Anzac Day.
4. GIANTS ONCE AGAIN SHOW MCG FRAILTIES
It's been long-awaited second win at the MCG for the Giants, who finally recorded their first victory at the home of football since 2014.
The last time GWS were at the MCG, they were swamped by the oncoming Richmond storm as they faced one of the most hostile crowds in AFL history.
A newly revamped Giants' side put up a good fight yesterday, but still struggled on the surrounds of the ‘G and showed signs they have a hill to climb if they are going to be consistent in Melbourne.
Many could argue that a fully fit Magpies outfit would have been able to run over the Giants, but at the end of the day it’s an important win for GWS as they look to continue their brilliant form to start the season.
5. PENDLEBURY IS STILL A-GRADE TALENT
In the middle of the week, Mike Sheehan came out and said Scott Pendlebury was not an A-grade talent anymore.
This week, the Collingwood captain proved him wrong with one of his classic games, leading from the front with a stellar performance.
His 30-disposal game, tough tackling performance and unrivaled class around the stoppages were key for the Pies in their superb turnaround from a shambolic effort a week prior.
Pendlebury silenced any doubter about whether father-time had hit him, and will easily poll a Brownlow vote or two after his efforts.
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