Collingwood’s teams have secured three wins from their four games over the weekend in what was a fantastic few days for the Club.
Things started with the AFL side’s thrilling win over Carlton in the dying stages of the MCG clash on Friday night, before the VFLW team followed it up with a win in the final moments themselves on Saturday.
The Club’s VFL squad were unable to get over the line as they travelled to Southport in Queensland, however the Pies’ Wheelchair team secured a comfortable win in their opening game of the season on Sunday.
AFL – Collingwood defeated Carlton by six points
In the 265th V/AFL match between old rivals Collingwood and Carlton, the two sides produced a classic with a late Nick Daicos major securing victory for the Pies.
It was Carlton who burst out of the blocks on Friday, with the Blues kicking five goals to three in the opening term, however Collingwood gained ascendancy after the first break.
Activated as sub early in the second quarter during his long-awaited debut, midfielder Lachie Sullivan lit the spark for his side with a brilliant goal with his first touch at the level – part of five the Pies kicked for the term.
Carlton fought hard in the third term to keep Collingwood goalless, setting up a tense finish at the MCG, however it set the stage for yet another thrilling outcome.
A stunning Bobby Hill goal on the run within the opening minute of the final quarter gave Collingwood the lead back, while experienced duo Will Hoskin-Elliott and Scott Pendlebury also hit the scoreboard throughout quarter number four.
Scores remained level for the majority of the final minutes as Collingwood appeared destined for a second draw in as many weeks, but that was until the 21-year-old Daicos kicked the match-winner.
The last of his 32 disposals for the night, the midfielder burst through a forward-50 stoppage and snapped truly on the run, sending the Magpie Army into raptures.
It secured him the Richard Pratt Medal for best on ground, with Pendlebury (22 touches) and Darcy Cameron (30 hit outs) also among the better players for the Pies.
The win continued Collingwood’s strong run of form, helping them sit ninth ahead of a Round Nine clash against West Coast.
VFLW – Collingwood defeated Sydney by two points
A second goal in the dying stages by a Collingwood player in consecutive days saw Collingwood’s VFLW side come from behind against Sydney on Saturday.
A much-anticipated clash with Sydney only entering the VFLW competition for a little over a month this season, the two sides fielded teams largely filled with AFLW players in a tune up for AFLW pre-season beginning next month.
The Pies led by two points at half time in hotly contested opening to the game, however they piled on three goals while keeping Collingwood goalless in the third term to assume dominance in match.
The Pies were in need of a goal early in the final quarter to generate some momentum, and they found it through Tarni White who kicked truly from 30 metres out.
The clock continued to run however without another Collingwood major, until Sarah Sansonetti slammed her second of the day home with only 90 seconds remaining to cut the margin to four points.
A crucial centre bounce ensued, with star ruck Sabrina Frederick putting the ball directly into the path of Irish recruit Muireann Atkinson who sent the ball deep inside fifty.
It was Katie Day who read the ball best, sneaking out the back to kick the winning goal and put the Pies in front just before the siren sounded at Tramway Oval.
Carly Remmos continued her strong 2024 with 20 disposals, while AFLW-listed stars Sarah Rowe (18 touches) and Frederick (33 hit outs) were also crucial.
The win was Collingwood’s third in the last four games, keeping them right in the hunt for finals at the halfway point of the season.
VFL – Collingwood defeated by Southport by 27 points
The Pies travelled to Queensland for the second time in 2024 over the weekend, taking on the Southport Sharks for the first time at Fankhauser Reserve.
A hot start by the home side saw Collingwood trail by 16 points at the first break, however goals to Reef McInnes and Patrick Farrant crucially got them going.
A brilliant second quarter ensued for the Pies, with goals to the returning Nathan Krueger, as well as Co-captain Sam Glover part of four for the term to reduce the margin to eight points at half time.
McInnes was proving potent in attack, while Jack Bytel and Finlay Macrae were doing a lot of work through the centre of the ground, with the Pies coming our of the break intent on keeping their momentum going from the second quarter.
Josh Carmichael got things going with an early goal, while Joe Richards kicked back-to-back majors, however that was in-between the Sharks continuing to hit the scoreboard.
While they threatened to take the lead, Southport proved too diligent and kept their control over the contest in the fourth term, eventually running out almost five-goal winners.
Bytel and Macrae were the Pies’ best with 27 and 25 touches respectively, while McInnes and Richards both finished with two goals.
Collingwood will look to bounce back this Saturday when they take on the Northern Bullants at Genis St Oval.
VWFL – Collingwood defeated Essendon by 37 points
Having had the bye in Round One last week, Collingwood’s Senior Wheelchair side kicked off their 2024 season in style on Sunday with a 37-point win against the Bombers.
The Pies burst out of the blocks with a 10-goal first half, with Patrick McKay dominating all over the court.
The Bombers did fight back hard in the second half and limited the Pies’ scoring; however, they had already done enough to secure victory with the final score ending 14 6. 90 to 7.11. 53 in favour of the Pies.
McKay finished with a whopping 10 goals for the match, while skipper Ben Jankovski managed three of his own.
They’ll take on St Kilda next week who also defeated Essendon earlier this season.
