Geelong have claimed a hard-fought 20-point win over Collingwood to leap into the AFL top four and strike a blow to the reigning premiers’ finals aspirations.
In a see-sawing game in front of 73,435 fans at the MCG on Friday, the Cats stepped up when it counted in the final quarter to shake off the Magpies and claim a 13.13 (91) to 10.11 (71) victory.
Geelong (44 points) leap to third with their third win on the bounce, ahead of yet-to-play Fremantle and Essendon, while Collingwood (36 points) sit 10th.
Cats skipper Patrick Dangerfield (22 touches, 10 inside-50s) and Max Holmes (27 disposals) were explosive through the midfield.
Jeremy Cameron kicked three goals and young defender Lawson Humphries impressed.
Shannon Neale booted two goals but was substituted out after a hit to the throat.
Magpies star Nick Daicos collected 32 disposals and 11 clearances, while Jamie Elliott (two goals) made a fine return as he led an injury-hit and undersized attack.
Magpie Darcy Cameron dominated the ruck from a hitouts perspective (58), but Sam De Koning (22 touches) had plenty of the ball.
Geelong ran hot early as they kicked the first three goals of the game, including two inside the first 40 seconds.
But Collingwood settled and responded with four majors on the bounce.
Elliott kicked a marvellous goal from the pocket and blew a kiss to the crowd in celebration as he gave the Magpies a one-goal lead at quarter time.
Cats superstar Cameron jagged two early goals to restore their lead early in the second term.
Magpies gun Nick Daicos grabbed at his left hamstring after an accidental knee from Tom Atkins, but played on.
The Cats took a four-point lead into halftime.
Cameron snapped his third to give Geelong a 10-point lead before Elliott teed up Jordan De Goey for one goal, before taking a hanger and kicking truly himself to put the Magpies back in front.
Tyson Stengle and Ollie Dempsey struck to deliver Geelong an 11-point lead heading into the final change.
Tom Stewart and Lachie Schultz had a nasty head clash early in the fourth quarter, leaving the star Cat with a split eyebrow, while the Collingwood forward was substituted out of the game.
Former Magpie Oliver Henry kicked a terrific goal from the pocket late in the term to effectively seal victory.
The Pies play Hawthorn at the MCG next Saturday, while Geelong host the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium that night.
© AAP 2024
