MELBOURNE'S recent dominance over Collingwood in Queen's Birthday clashes has come to a halt after an in-form Magpies outfit broke away from the Demons in the second half to win by 21 points at the MCG on Monday.
A spirited Demons team went down to the Magpies 17.14 (116) to 13.17 (95) in front of a crowd of 59,548 fans, capping off a significant weekend in the club's recent history.
After celebrating the club's 150th birthday at a magnificent function on Saturday night, the red and blue army marched to the 'G in the lead-up to the match. President Paul Gardner then announced his he was stepping down from the post, with Jim Stynes his likely successor.
On the field, the red and blue was gritty but ultimately outplayed in the finish, with injuries to important players Brent Moloney and Jared Rivers adding to the frustration.
The duo has had a rotten run with injury. This time, Rivers sustained a hamstring injury and did not finish out the game, while Moloney was aided from the field after copping a shoulder injury in the final term.
The match was in the balance at half-time, but Collingwood's third quarter proved the difference. Although Melbourne gave a yelp in the last term, it was unable to claw back for what would've been a memorable victory.
Melbourne midfielder Brock McLean was his side's best with an equal game-high 36 disposals, the same number of Collingwood skipper Scott Burns, who was his side's standout player.
Nathan Jones, Cameron Bruce, Adem Yze and Brad Green were also among Melbourne's best, while defender Matthew Warnock also quelled key Collingwood forward Travis Cloke. Colin Sylvia and Austin Wonaeamirri contributed with three goals each.
Collingwood made two late changes with key forward Anthony Rocca (ankle) and young gun Scott Pendlebury (back) withdrawing.
The Magpies started strongly with the first two goals of the match via Alan Didak and Heath Shaw. It wasn't until the 14-minute mark when Melbourne registered its first major through Wonaeamirri.
But majors from Yze, Green and Sylvia followed, resulting in a turnaround and a five-point lead by the Demons.
It was Melbourne's ability to take the game on and attack at every opportunity, which got the red and blue back in the contest.
Collingwood regained the lead early in the second term when Josh Fraser kicked truly.
The Pies managed to hold sway for the rest of the quarter – and ultimately for the rest of the match – although the Demons remained in the hunt with timely goals from Wonaeamirri, Lynden Dunn and Jones, just moments before the half-time siren.
Dunn's ability to break past Harry O'Brien, position his body back to thread through a brilliant goal from the pocket was one of the highlights of the match.
Collingwood extended its seven-point half-time lead into a 23-point advantage at three quarter-time, after upping the ante after the long break.
The Pies kicked seven majors to four for the quarter and despite a lovely soccer goal from Yze, the Demons fluffed several opportunities in front of goal.
Deep in time-on, Collingwood bounced out to a 31-point lead – after Tarkyn Lockyer snapped a brilliant goal over his head while lying on his back – but Green kept the Demons in the hunt when he landed one from 50 metres after the three quarter-time siren.
Just four goals were added in the final term – two from both sides – meaning the Demons were unable to record a victory.
Collingwood 3.2 8.5 15.8 17.14 (116)
Melbourne 4.1 7.4 11.9 13.17 (95)
GOALS
Collingwood: Didak 2, H. Shaw 2, Lockyer 2, Davis 2, Fraser, Johnson, Medhurst, Brown, Swan, Wellingham, O'Brien, Cox, Thomas
Melbourne: Wonaeamirri 3, Sylvia 3, Yze 2, Green 2, Dunn, Jones, McLean
BEST
Collingwood: Burns, Didak, Lockyer, Maxwell, O'Brien, Maxwell, Bryan
Melbourne: McLean, Jones, Bruce, Yze, Warnock, Dunn
INJURIES
Collingwood: Rocca (ankle), Pendlebury (back) replaced in selected side by Cox, Cook
Melbourne: Rivers (groin), Moloney (shoulder)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Vozzo, Farmer, Meredith
Official crowd: 59,548 at the MCG
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
