Collingwood have secured their place in the top four after a resilient twenty-point win over their old rival, Carlton by 20 points at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues, gave the Magpies a brief scare in the third quarter when they hit the front by a point and were much improved after being heavily scrutinized during the week in the aftermath of their loss to the Dockers by 57 points.
The Magpies were led brilliantly by captain, Scott Pendlebury (29 disposals, 86% efficiency, one goal), Steele Sidebottom (31 disposals, eight clearances) and firming Rising Star favourite, Jaidyn Stephenson (three goals) as they did just enough to see of the Blues.
Carlton were kept in proceedings largely through Patrick Cripps (29 disposals, 20 contested possessions, three goals), Charlie Curnow (19 disposals, three goals) and Kade Simpson (31 disposals, 11 marks).
The Blues got off to a flier when Matthew Kreuzer kicked the opener and former Kangaroo, Aaron Mullett slotted his first in the Navy Blue to get the ball rolling early but Collingwood were able to respond as Stephenson kicked two of his three and mature aged recruit, Brody Mihocek tied the game heading into the quarter-time break.
The second quarter was much more scrappy as the Magpies registered 2.6 in-front of goals but captain Scott Pendlebury was able to snooker home a much needed goal to give the Pies an eleven point buffer heading into the main break.
However, the second quarter was marred by a suspected knee injury to Carlton defender, Lachie Plowman and was forced off the ground on a stretcher while tempers boiled over after the half-time siren as a melee broke out among former Magpie, Dale Thomas and Pies defender Brayden Maynard among the key culprits.
The Blues surged into life in the third quarter when young guns Cripps and Curnow put the Blues ahead early but were quickly snuffed out by a superb running goal by Adam Treloar and Stephenson capitalizing on a Liam Jones turnover to extend the Magpies lead.
Will Hoskin-Elliott continued his brilliant start to the season kicking his first along with a Mark of the Year contender and giving the Magpies a twenty-point lead but Curnow once again was able to kick an important goal to keep the Blues in the game.
The biggest highlight was left to last when Charlie Curnow used Tom Langdon as the proverbial step-ladder to take a superb Mark of the Year contender with some likening it to the great Alex Jesaulenko mark of years prior.
The Magpies were able to slam the door shut as Jordan De Goey kicked his first and Hoskin-Ellliott added another two along with a special mark over Dale Thomas to seal the game.
Collingwood will now go on the road to face the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium next Saturday night while the Blues host the Power at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
COLLINGWOOD 3.2 5.8 8.12 11.13 (79) CARLTON 3.2 4.3 7.4 9.5 (59)
GOALS Collingwood: Stephenson 3, Hoskin-Elliott 3, Pendlebury, Mihocek, Treloar, Cox, De Goey Carlton: C.Curnow 3, Cripps 3, Rowe, Kreuzer, Mullett
BEST
Collingwood: Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Stephenson, Phillips, Grundy, Hoskin-Elliott
Carlton: Cripps, C.Curnow, Simpson, Thomas, Kennedy, Dow
INJURIES Collingwood: Greenwood (concussion), Treloar (hamstring cramp) Carlton: Casboult (finger) replaced in selected side by O'Shea, Plowman (knee), Kreuzer (ankle)
Umpires: Margetts, Dalgleish, Brown, Findlay
Crowd: 53,706 at the MCG
Talking Points
1. Collingwood in position to pounce
The Magpies are now right in within touching distance in the aftermath of their tough victory over the Blues this past weekend.
Fresh off the bye, Carlton put the pressure up on the Magpies who even without playing their best photo were able to show their class in key moments to scrape past and now position themselves within a game behind the league leaders, Richmond. The midfield led by captain Scott Pendlebury was first class as he was flanked brilliantly by usual suspects, Steele Sidebottom and Tom Phillips while Brodie Grundy continued his All-Australian firming season.
Next up, beat the Suns and with the Tigers and Swans playing each other, Collingwood could be right in the scramble for a top two position come this time next-week.
2. Blues much improved, counting losses
Carlton showed up this week and they gave their old rivals an almighty scare but it did come at a major cost.
Key forward, Levi Casboult dislocated his finger in the warm-up and was a late out, while defender Lachie Plowman’s season looks to be over and ruckman, Matthew Kreuzer also failed to finish the game with an ankle injury of his own.
Even on a day when the likes of Charlie Curnow and Patrick Cripps played some inspiring football, Brendan Bolton will be forced to turn to the VFL and more of his young soldiers to replace more injured and sore bodies which already includes Marc Murphy and Sam Docherty.
However, Carlton can take out of the game that they played with the same fight that saw them take some key scalps in the past two seasons and will now host the much fancied Power outfit in inspirational leader, Kade Simpson’s 300th game.
3. Stephenson continues to marvel
It baffles me how this man didn’t go pick number one in the draft but being a Pies fan, I don’t lose sleep over it.
Jaidyn Stephenson once again showed up and kicked another bag of three goals, taking his tally to a remarkable 21 goals in his first season of AFL football.
Heralded by many as the most naturally talented player in the last draft pool, many passed him up due to his ongoing heart condition.
However, the Magpies took the punt on the speedy winger-turned forward whose eye for goal and superb speed has caused defences headaches since his debut in Round One. He has now played every goal this season and has a remarkable track record in front of the sticks that stands at 21.9.
Right now, he is shaping up to be the winner of the Rising Star and looks set to keep the likes of Jamie Elliott and Alex Fasolo on the outside looking in upon their return from injuries.
With the former providing he returns to his best football being a chance to form a formidable attacking partnership.
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