Collingwood has finally got some runs on the board with a clinical victory over flag fancies, Melbourne, at TIO Tragear Park in Alice Springs by 34 points.
The Magpies had the ascendency for majority of the game in sweltering conditions which reached a high of 37 degrees and created havoc for the players in the extremely difficult climate.
Melbourne started the game the hotter of the two sides and thanks to goals from Kate Hore and Elise O’Dea were ahead by 14 points at the first change as the Pies were kept scoreless.
The second quarter told an extremely different story, with goals from Christina Bernardi and a late double from Moana Hope in the final six minutes of the quarter.
The three goals put the Magpies in the lead heading into the major change in an extremely rapid turn of events.
From there, the Magpies were in full control as they stepped on the gas in the third quarter and kicked a further three goals to Melbourne’s one.
Their dominance was on full display as they opened up an 18-point lead heading into the final quarter.
It wasn’t to be for Melbourne, as Collingwood put the game to bed with a blistering finish of goals from Stephanie Chiocci, Amelia Barden and Melissa Kuys, which ended any hope for the Demons as the Magpies ran out with their first victory of the season.
Collingwood were led brilliantly by midfield duo Chiocci and Jaimee Lambert who combined for 36 disposals and eight tackles.
A fantastic effort from Brittany Bonnici kept Melbourne star, Daisy Pearce to only the nine disposals for the night.
The major story of the night was the performance of the much-scrutinised, Mo Hope, who continues to turn a corner following her past two games.
Hope kicked 2.3 and was a continual presence inside the forward 50 for the Pies, hinting at her destructive potential should she hit peak form this season.
Melbourne’s O’Dea and Karen Paxman were the best in a tough night for the Dees, who were outgunned by the fired-up Magpie outfit.
The Demons have now lost two on the trot and have fallen outside the top two.
A huge clash awaits next Friday night against another flag fancy in Brisbane at Casey Fields.
Collingwood meanwhile will look to keep their faint finals hopes alive when they make the trip to Moe to take on the red-hot Western Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon.
MELBOURNE 2.2 2.2 3.4 3.6 (24) COLLINGWOOD 0.0 3.2 6.4 9.4 (58)
GOALS Melbourne: Hore, Mifsud, O'Dea Collingwood: Hope 2, Edwards 2, Bernardi, Barden, Chiocci, Hutchins, Kuys
BEST
Melbourne: Paxman, Downie, O'Dea, Cunningham
Collingwood: Bernardi, Lambert, Chiocci, Hope
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