CARLTON’S No.1 draft pick Sam Walsh was nearly the hero as Collingwood held on for a four-point AFL pre-season win in Morwell.
Walsh had a shot at goal with less than a minute left from 50m, but couldn’t kick straight enough.
The ball went through for a behind and it was the last score of Monday’s game, with the Magpies winning 10.13 (73) to 10.11 (71)
Walsh impressed again in the pre-season with 23 possessions and is a certainty to make his debut in round one against Richmond.
The Blues were behind all day, but drew level in the last term before Josh Thomas’ third goal in the last two minutes put Collingwood ahead.
The Magpies had far more of the ball, with 440 possessions to 229, as they showcased their quality midfield depth.
Adam Treloar returned after an interrupted pre-season and shone with a game-high 42 disposals, while Scott Pendlebury, Dayne Beams and Scott Pendlebury were also prolific.
Brodie Grundy was outstanding in the ruck and key defender Darcy Moore dominated at centre half-back on Charlie Curnow.
Third-year player Callum Brown also impressed.
It was a mixed weekend for Collingwood’s backline, with Ben Reid suffering a leg injury on Saturday in the VFL.
But they were unable to capitalise and only led by four points at halftime, with Liam Jones and Jacob Weitering similarly strong in defence for the Blues.
Collingwood broke clear with four goals to one in the third term and led by a game-high 21 points at the last change.
New co-captain Patrick Cripps sent a massive scare through Carlton when he was limping at three-quarter time, but the midfield ace started the last quarter in the middle.
Two centre clearances from Paddy Dow set up Harry McKay for the first two goals of the last quarter, giving McKay three for the game.
© AAP 2019
COLLINGWOOD 2.4 5.7 9.9 11.11 (77)
CARLTON 1.0 5.3 6.6 10.13 (73)
Goals: Collingwood: J Thomas 3 J Elliott 2 A Treloar D Beams S Sidebottom T Goldsack T Phillips T Varcoe. Carlton: H McKay 3 D Cuningham 2 P Cripps 2 C Curnow L Plowman W Setterfield.
Umpires: Ray Chamberlain, Brendan Hosking, Hayden Gavine.
Official Crowd: 6,386 at Morwell Recreation Reserve.
