Collingwood has stormed into its first Grand Final since 2011 with an astonishing 39-point win over reigning premiers Richmond.
Having won their past 22 encounters at the home of football, the Tigers came in full of confidence as they looked to keep their dreams of back to back premierships alive.
However, from the very first bounce the Tiger army were stunned as the manic pressure of Collingwood saw them produce a match winning first half.
Steele Sidebottom was at his prolific best with an inspiring 41 disposals and 13 marks, whilst up forward it was the Mason Cox and Jordan De Goey show as the two in form forwards booted three and four goals respectively.
Coming in as very short priced favorites the pressure was on the Tigers to continue their astonishing run of form and book a spot in the 2018 decider.
However, after absorbing some early pressure from the reigning champs it would be the Magpies that would hit the scoreboard first, with a piece of De Goey magic from the boundary getting the black and white army out of their seats.
Travis Varcoe would quickly double the Magpies margin through a relatively simple set shot, as nerves began to set in for the finals hardened Tigers.
It would take a strong mark and goal by Coleman medalist Jack Riewoldt to get Richmond underway, as the league’s biggest fanbase finally roared into action.
This would only be a short reprieve however, as the Magpies dominance around the ball would see them again take advantage of field position and punish the off colour Tigers.
Three straight goals to Jack Crisp, Brody Mihocek and a second to De Goey would see Collingwood skip away to a commanding lead, going into quarter 23 points ahead.
With the MCG in a state of shock, the champion Tigers needed to step up in the second term to keep their dreams of back to back flags alive.
But it would be again be Collingwood again that brought the heat, as Richmond simply could contain the class of the Magpie midfield.
After taking some strong marks in the first term, Cox would take over in the early parts of the second as a strong grab and classy finish would result in the big American’s first finals goal.
This would trigger an onslaught by the big man, with his height and strong hands too much for the struggling Tigers defence.
Cox would put through two more majors in the next ten minutes to get the lead out to 42 points as the Magpie fans began to seriously believe this upset could be possible.
As it seemed the Tigers had been able to stem the flow with ten scoreless minutes, Crisp would pop up again to get the margin out to eight goals, before an incredible mark would bring the deficit to beyond 50.
Well and truly on the ropes going into the main change, Jack Higgins would restore some hope into the Tiger army having trimmed the margin down to a hefty 44 points.
After producing one of the best halves in the club’s history, all focus turned to the third term as they needed to consolidate their lead and run Richmond off the park.
However, they aren’t the reigning premiers for nothing as some clinical clearance work from the first centre bounce gave Riewoldt a shot on goal which he duly converted to spark more life back into the game.
But the class and maturity of Collingwood would ring true, as they regrouped and gained control of the game again with De Goey capitalizing on a half chance to restore the half time margin.
Riewoldt would kick his third to again revitalize the Tigers hopes of a comeback as they began to find their manic pressure.
However, the Pies would again hold firm with Mihocek coolly slotting his second to keep the margin above 40 points.
With the game seemingly in Collingwood’s control, Richmond would prove their class late in the third to wrestle back the momentum as goals to Bachar Houli and Riewoldt would bring the margin back to a very achievable 33 points at the final change.
Thirty minutes away from the upset of the season, Collingwood really needed to dig deep if they were going to hold off the fast finishing Tigers.
Things looked shaky early however, as a questionable mark to the in form Riewoldt would see the Tigers close into under thirty points.
They would quickly back this up with another, as a free kick to Higgins directly in front would bring the deficit back to 21 with the reigning premiers beginning to play inspired footy.
With the game well and truly on a knifes edge, it would come down to Adam Treloar to break Richmond’s momentum, as the controversial figure among Tiger fans slammed home a floating snap to bring his side within touching distance of a Grand Final.
This would prompt a Collingwood onslaught late in the last term, as they heart of the Magpies came through.
Majors to Brodie Grundy and Rising Star Jaidyn Stephenson would put the result beyond doubt as chants of Collingwooooood rung out around the MCG.
When the final siren sounded, it would be a 39-point win for Collingwood as they advance to a Grand Final and break Richmond’s record breaking streak at the MCG.
The Magpies‘ opponent for next week’s decider is still up in the air, with the West Coast Eagles and Melbourne doing battle at Optus Stadium tomorrow afternoon to determine 2018’s second grand finalist.
RICHMOND 1.3 2.8 6.10 8.10 (58) COLLINGWOOD 5.2 10.4 12.7 15.7 (97)
GOALS Richmond: Riewoldt 5, Higgins 2, Houli Collingwood: De Goey 4, Cox 3, Crisp 2, Mihocek 2, Varcoe, Treloar, Grundy, Stephenson
BEST
Richmond: Riewoldt, Houli, Cotchin, Prestia, Higgins
Collingwood: Sidebottom, Cox, De Goey, Adams, Crisp, Langdon
INJURIES Richmond: Nil Collingwood: Howe (ankle)
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