COLLINGWOOD and Melbourne have played out the first draw of the season in an extraordinary Queen’s Birthday encounter at the MCG on Monday.

The wayward Magpies kicked 9.22 (76) to Melbourne’s 11.10 (76).

It looked set to be a one-sided contest early in the match, with the Magpies slamming on the first three goals. But Collingwood's kicking let them down, and the Pies struggled to convert their chances as Melbourne kicked six of the next seven goals to briefly grab the lead before Collingwood pegged them back.

Queen’s Birthday specialist Brad Dick was a late inclusion for the Pies after Alan Didak (hip) withdrew from the match, and he made a big difference, booting four goals after playing a full VFL game just two days earlier.

Brent Moloney led the way for Melbourne with 37 disposals, while Jack Grimes inspired his teammates by putting his body on the line with several brave acts. Brad Green was Melbourne’s most dangerous forward and presented all day, but let himself down in front of goal, kicking 0.3.

Mark Jamar played one of the games of his life in the ruck with 25 touches, eight marks and 33 hit-outs, and floated forward to kick a valuable final-quarter goal.

Dane Swan gave his usual stellar performance out of the middle, finishing with 38 touches, but was also wasteful in front of goal, managing 0.3.

Collingwood lost captain Nick Maxwell with a knee injury in the second term. The key defender went straight to the rooms and played no further part in the game.

While Collingwood was wayward in front of goal, the Demons had stages where they weren’t much better. Between the two sides, the third quarter provided just two goals and a staggering 14 behinds.

Collingwood    4.8    5.10    6.19    9.22 (76)
Melbourne       3.2    6.3       7.8     11.10 (76)

GOALS
Collingwood: Dick 4, Cloke, Sidebottom, Davis, Jolly, Lockyer
Melbourne: Miller 2, Bate 2, Watts, Jetta, Dunn, Garland, Morton, Jones, Jamar

BEST
Collingwood: Swan, Pendlebury, Dick, Reid, Thomas, O’Brien, Sidebottom
Melbourne: Moloney, Davey, Jamar, Bruce, Garland, Morton, Frawley

INJURIES
Collingwood: Didak (hip) replaced in the selected side by Dick. Maxwell (calf).
Melbourne: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Donlon, McBurney, Meredith
 
Official crowd: 67,454 at MCG

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.