2018 AFL Finals Week One

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 6 First Qualifying Final, 7:20pm EST MCG Richmond v Hawthorn Odds Tigers $1.40 Hawks $3 Last time Round three MCG Richmond 102 d Hawthorn 89	FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 7 First Elimination Final, 7:50pm EST MCG Melbourne v Geelong Odds Demons $1.75 Cats $2.10 Last time Round 18 Kardinia Geelong 100 d Melbourne 98
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8 Second Elimination Final, 4:20pm EST SCG Sydney Swans v GWS Giants Odds Swans $1.70 Giants $2.15 Last time Round 22 Sydney Showground Sydney 80 d GWS 60	SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8 Second Qualifying Final, 8:10pm EST Perth Stadium West Coast Eagles v Collingwood Odds Eagles $1.65 Magpies $2.25 Last Time Round 17 MCG West Coast 102 d Collingwood 67

2018: LADDER ROUND 23

Pos Position     P Played     Pts Points     % Percentage     W Won     L Lost     

D Drawn     F Points For     A Points Against

Round 23: Collingwood 76 Fremantle 67

THE FACTS

COLLINGWOOD    3.2.20   6.3.39   8.8.56   11.10.76
FREMANTLE          5.2.32   6.6.42   8.8.56    9.13.67

GOALS - Collingwood: Mihocek 3, Stephenson 2, Pendlebury, Adams, Phillips, Thomas, Crisp, Cox

 BEST - Collingwood: Mihocek, Sidebottom, Pendlebury, Adams, Maynard, Grundy

INJURIES - Collingwood: Hoskin-Elliott (knee)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 41,320 at Perth Stadium

TALKING POINTS

1. Magpie in trouble for ump bump? It will be interesting to see what the match review officer makes of a second-quarter incident that saw field umpire Robert O'Gorman dumped to the ground. Nat Fyfe collided heavily with the man in fluoro green but it was Magpie Brayden Maynard who shoved Fyfe into the ump. Maynard's push was in retaliation for Fyfe pushing one of his mates over. Real schoolboy stuff, but will there be consequences for the Magpie? 2. Rookie recruit delivers the goods for Pies Collingwood is back in the top four for the first time since 2012. And the Pies can thank big Brody Mihocek for getting the chocolates in Perth. Three second-half goals, two of them in 30 seconds midway through the final term, proved critical. Particularly with star forward Jordan De Goey well held by Joel Hamling. Mihocek definitely looks the type who can have an impact in September. A solid record interstate has also played a part. The Pies have managed wins over Fremantle, Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast and a two-point loss against Sydney. As much as Pies' fans might have had their hearts in mouths for much of the game, it could prove to be the perfect preparation for a tough finals series. 3. Freo's Lyon-hearts come to play Fremantle coach Ross Lyon, backed by his club, hung tough as the outrage from the disaster at Geelong reached fever pitch last week. The terrible round 22 effort, Fremantle's average losing margin – 54 points – the worst in the AFL; the Dockers' match average of just 70 points per game; the worst scoring season in club history – it was all set up for a Pie shellacking. But, to borrow the greatest cliché of all “a week's a long time in football”. There were signs this would not be an easy kill. At Optus Stadium this season the Dockers were 7-5, kicking 80 points per game. And the Magpies had lost five of their past six in Perth. While the Dockers didn't get the points, they showed plenty for their fans as they head into pre-season. 4. Goodbye MJ Michael Johnson's 244th match in purple was his last and captain Fyfe vowed the club would show just how much they loved him against the Magpies. Joel Hamling didn't read the script when he floated a pass meant for Johnson out on the full early on. And the umps didn't have a lot of love for MJ either when they didn't believe he'd touched the resultant snap from Tom Phillips. Nor did Chris Mayne when he dug his knee into Johnson's buttock and sent him from the field briefly in the opening term. But his day improved from there and he would have been proud of his finale. Danyle Pearce also retired but wasn't at the ground because he was playing WAFL, while fellow retiree Lee Spurr was there in his suit to say goodbye. 5. The streak is over After conceding 23 goals in a row to finish the match against Geelong in round 22, Fremantle let in the first three to take the streak to 26 but when the Dockers hit back, they hit back hard. They booted the last five goals of the first term to take a 12-point lead to quarter-time and, believe it or not, got a standing ovation from a fair few Dockers supporters at the first change. Hayden Ballantyne's four-goal return also gave the fans something to cheer about.

THE MEDIA

SUPERFOOTY COLLINGWOOD dodged a purple bullet to seal a top-four spot. Fremantle led by 15 points at the 20-minute mark of the second term, and still held an eight-point lead early in the final quarter when Hayden Ballantyne ran 60m to score his fourth goal. But Collingwood lifted when it mattered most, with Brody Mihocek booting two goals within the space of a minute to take the lead. Ironically, after a week in which Magpies defender Sam Murray’s drug bombshell made headlines, it was Josh Thomas — caught himself by ASADA three years ago — who came up with the sealer in the final two minutes. The Magpies could have slid to as low as sixth if they had lost. But the win means Collingwood will now finish fourth at worst, and possibly as high as second if West Coast loses to Brisbane on Sunday. Pies skipper Scott Pendlebury is looking forward to the week off before finals. “I love it because it means we’re playing finals, and we haven’t been there since the week off’s been in,” he told Fox Footy after the siren. “We’ll take it and get ready for the first final.” Pendlebury reserved special praise for Mihocek, who played as a key defender in Port Melbourne’s 2017 premiership team and was recruited from the VFL in the rookie draft. “He’s been unreal all year. The funny thing is he came in as a defender. He’s kicked 20-odd goals for the eyar and he gives us such a presence forward of the ball. He’s incredibly smart football-wise and it’s a credit to him for sticking at it for so long, and he’s finally got his chance.” Eyeing their first top-eight scalp of one of the season, Fremantle gave itself every chance before falling short by nine points, 11.10 (76) to 9.13 (67). In some ways this game summed up the Dockers under Lyon. The home side was willing and committed and their forward pressure at times was fanatical. But skill errors hurt, especially some shoddy kicks inside 50 after a power of work had been done to create that opportunity. The poor kicking continued in the last quarter and ultimately sabotaged Fremantle’s bid for what would have been a memorable upset. The Dockers could manage only 1.5 in the final term. Brennan Cox took a fantastic strong mark with three minutes on the clock and the Dockers trailing by four points and sent his set shot out on the full. Former Docker Chris Mayne finished goalless from just nine touches was jeered and his missed shots on goal were cheered. However, he will be happy in the knowledge that he will now move onto a final while his former teammates take an early holiday. Mayne will feature on the September stage for the first time since Fremantle’s 2015 preliminary final loss to Hawthorn which brought the curtain down on their successful era. The Dockers had escaped Geelong’s weather but the sunny conditions didn’t bring any respite on the scoreboard initially. The Pies kicked three goals in the first five minutes in a super start to of the match, extending the run of majors conceded by Fremantle to 26 after the Cats piled on the last 23 goals in last weekend’s drubbing. Ballantyne broke the streak when he converted from the goalsquare 16 minutes into the first term. Second-gamer Sam Switkowski kicked the first goal of his career and David Mundy, Nat Fyfe and Matt Taberner added goals of their own to give the Dockers a 12-point quarter-time lead. Collingwood made the most of its chances in the second term and Fremantle didn’t. The Magpies added 3.1 and the Dockers 1.4 and Switkowski’s out on the full from a set shot was the worst waste of all. Rising Star favourite Jaidyn Stephenson emerged, kicking the first and last goals of the quarter. The teams added two goals apiece in the third stanza to leave scores level at the final change. Ballantyne has long been the fuse that sets the purple army alight and his running goal midway through the term, his third for the game, was a highlight. It was meant to be the beginning of something special for the home side. It turned out to be the last goal the Dockers would score. At the other end was another unlikely hero in black and white. Mihocek, recruited as a defender from the VFL in last year’s rookie draft, kicked his second and third goals in the space of a minute to take back the lead. It was a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. AFL COLLINGWOOD survived a major scare from an emotion-charged Fremantle, locked in a top-four spot and kept hopes of hosting a qualifying final alive with a nailbiting nine-point victory at Optus Stadium on Saturday. Trailing the fired-up Dockers by 15 points midway through the second term and with scores level at the final change, the Magpies were staring at the prospect of a cutthroat elimination final. But as they have done all season in the face of adversity, Nathan Buckley's injury-hit men found a way. Mature-age rookie Brody Mihocek was the hero, booting two clutch goals midway through the final term to put the Pies in front by four points. Brennan Cox had the chance to wrestle back the lead for Freo with three minutes remaining but hooked his 50m set shot out on the full. Collingwood swept the ball forward and Josh Thomas to kick the sealer from a Nathan Wilson turnover with less than two minutes to play, sending the Pies supporters into raptures. The Dockers will be kicking themselves after booting 1.5 in the final term and falling to a 11.10 (76) to 9.13 (67) defeat. Collingwood finished the match in third but have put pressure on West Coast to knock over the Lions in Brisbane on Sunday, with a loss likely to send the second-placed Eagles tumbling into an away qualifying final. Hawthorn could also leapfrog Collingwood and West Coast into second with victory against the Swans at the SCG on Saturday night. But the Magpies have at least guaranteed themselves the double chance in finals after winning 15 games – their most since 2012. They can expect reinforcements in September, and will likely need them after only beating one other finals-bound outfit, Melbourne, this season, but Buckley was confident they could do some damage. "We think our best footy stacks up and we are not afraid of anyone we’re going to play," he said. "It's either Richmond, Hawthorn or West Coast in the mix for our first final. "We definitely won't be approaching that with anything but full confidence that we can get the job done. "We have attacked and been aggressive and chased our best form, improved football, the opposition - all season. So we're not going to stop now." Collingwood made hard work of seeing off the under-pressure Dockers, who were coming off one of the darkest days in club history at Geelong last round. A response was expected following a 133-point humiliation and, despite a slow start, Fremantle lifted considerably for champion defender Michael Johnson's farewell game. Including last round's debacle, Fremantle had conceded 26 unanswered goals after Collingwood piled on three unanswered majors in the opening five minutes on Saturday. But the home side clicked into gear and produced some of the best football played by a team in purple for months. A five-goal burst before quarter-time – highlighted by Sam Switkowski's first goal and an audacious Matt Taberner soccer – turned the contest on its head. The Dockers dominated the second term and were keeping the ball off the Pies, the No.1 possession team in the competition, but couldn't put the score on the board. Steadying late goals from Scott Pendlebury and NAB AFL Rising Star favourite Jaidyn Stephenson reduced the margin to just three points at the long break. The third quarter was an arm-wrestle and the Dockers looked good things when veteran Hayden Ballantyne ran into an open goal for his fourth major early in the final term, but the Pies stormed home for a crucial triumph. Midfield stars Steele Sidebottom (31 disposals) and Pendlebury (30, one goal) were influential all game, but especially when the contest was on the line. Mihocek finished with three majors. Brodie Grundy (24 disposals, 34 hit-outs) had Freo youngster Sean Darcy's (35 hit-outs) measure around the ground but they fought an even battle in the ruck, with Freo just edging clearances (36-32). Bradley Hill (35 disposals, 10 inside 50s) played his best game for the season for the Dockers, Taylin Duman (24) showed plenty in defence alongside Joel Hamling and Lachie Neale (34, one goal) rounded out an excellent campaign, but it wasn't enough to get Freo home. Speaking after the game, coach Ross Lyon was pleased the Dockers dug in to send Johnson off with a fighting effort, on a day when retired defender Lee Spurr was also farewelled at the ground. "I haven't thought about it in too much regard to last week, if you keep looking backwards it's not good but … I didn't think last week was typical of our year," Lyon said. "When you've got retiring players, you want the effort to be commensurate with the esteem you hold them in. "It's not about whether you win or lose, but we certainly ticked that box with our effort." MEDICAL ROOM Collingwood: Chris Mayne received treatment during the first quarter, but he returned before quarter-time. Jack Madgen was bleeding profusely from his head and came off for attention just before the opening change. NEXT UP The Pies will wait to see if they have to travel back to Perth for a qualifying final against West Coast, or play at the MCG – either as host or away – to Richmond or Hawthorn. REAL FOOTY Collingwood’s nail-biting nine-point win over Fremantle was enough to guarantee the Magpies a top-four finish. But for most of the game, it looked like they had blown their chance to confirm their double chance in the finals. Still, if Brisbane can upset West Coast at the Gabba on Sunday, the Magpies can pinch second spot and earn a home game in the first week of the finals. Even if that happens, there remain some serious questions about Collingwood’s ability to have an impact in September. It took two goals from Brody Mihocek in the final quarter to keep the Magpies in a contest they would have expected to win comfortably. And only a Josh Thomas goal with less than two minutes to go, after a Nathan Wilson turnover, handed the Magpies victory. That Thomas goal came only a couple of minutes after Dockers captain Nat Fyfe missed a shot at goal from about 35 metres that would have given his side back the lead. The way the Magpies struggled to shake off Fremantle before stealing the 11.10 (76) to 9.13 (67) victory at Optus Stadium is not the way Nathan Buckley would want to go in to the finals – regardless of which of their injured stars they get back. That Dockers side had 23 consecutive goals kicked against them by Geelong a week earlier and lost by a club record 133 points. It was fair to expect some sort of fight back by Fremantle after that embarrassing loss to the Cats. But the Magpies kicked the first three goals of the game and led by 19 points after just five minutes of the opening bounce. With second spot in their sight, that should have been the catalyst for a comfortable win for Collingwood, who are heading into their first finals campaign since 2013. But from there, kicking goals became a struggle. Joel Hamling gave Jordan De Goey a hard time, the latter finishing with 0.1 from four shots on goal. Jaidyn Stephenson also found it tough to get free, although his two goals in the second term would prove important. He could have started what could be a good week for the youngster, with the All-Australian and Rising Star announcements, with a bag of goals. But he wasted that chance. The Dockers are a different side at home and may have been saying farewell to one of their stalwarts, Michael Johnson, but they were chasing just their ninth win from their disappointing season – and only their third since the round 14 bye. Yet scores were level at three-quarter-time, which the statistics show would make life difficult for the Dockers, who had won only four final terms this season. Lachie Neale, Ed Langdon and Bradley Hill were able to get their hands on the footy – collecting 101 possessions between them. Neale also managed nine clearances on the back of strong ruck work by young big man Sean Darcy. The pace of Hayden Ballantyne caused the Pies defence issues too. Just a week after signing a contract extension, the veteran booted four goals. His fourth gave his side an eight-point lead with just 14 minutes to go in the game. That was the Dockers’ last goal. Scott Pendlebury had a big final quarter, with eight touches out of 30 for the game and three clearances. Steele Sidebottom also had 31 touches and his crisp ball handling was important. The win over Fremantle doesn’t change the other lingering doubt hanging over Collingwood’s premiership credentials — that they will enter the finals series having beaten only one of the sides they will meet. Of the other seven sides who will continue beyond this weekend, the Magpies beat only Melbourne and that was way back in round 12. And their performance in their first game at Optus Stadium would not have them oozing confidence should they be forced to return to the venue in the first week of the finals to play the Eagles.

2018 Round 23: The Team, Preview, Injury List

2018 AFL Round 23 COLLINGWOOD v FREMANTLE Time & Place: Saturday August 25, 4:35pm EST Perth Stadium Fox Footy 4:30pm EST Weather: Min 7 Max 20 Chance of rain 5%: < 1mm Wind: WSW 11kph Betting: Collingwood $1.15 Fremantle $5.50

B: Brayden Maynard, Tom Langdon, Jack Crisp

HB: Nathan Murphy, Jack Madgen, Levi Greenwood

C: Travis Varcoe, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips

HF: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Brody Mihocek, Jordan De Goey

F: Josh Thomas, Mason Cox, Jaidyn Stephenson

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom

Int: Brayden Sier, James Aish, Chris Mayne, Adam Oxley

Emg: Flynn Appleby, Josh Smith, Josh Daicos, Sam McLarty

COLLINGWOOD NEWS COLLINGWOOD V FREMANTLE A host of inexperienced players, including Nathan Murphy, will get another chance to shine at the highest level when Collingwood takes on Fremantle at Perth Stadium on Saturday. The Pies have named the same 22 that easily defeated Port Adelaide last weekend. The emergencies are Flynn Appleby, Josh Smith, Josh Daicos and Sam McLarty. Murphy, who was a late inclusion for the Port game after Sam Murray withdrew due to personal issues, will play his second AFL game. Mature-age recruit Jack Madgen will continue to hold down a key post in the backline, while youngsters like Brayden Sier and rising star favourite Jaidyn Stephenson will look to hone their skills ahead of the finals. A Collingwood win will cement the club in the top four, with its qualifying final opponent to be decided by the results of the clash in Sydney between the Swans and Hawthorn and the game in Brisbane involving the Lions and West Coast. The Pies scored an easy win over the Dockers at the MCG back in round 11.

AFL PREVIEW ROUND 23 COLLINGWOOD V FREMANTLE AFL LAST FIVE TIMES R11, 2018, Collingwood 21.12 (138) d Fremantle 12.5 (77) at the MCG R11, 2017, Collingwood 15.15 (105) d Fremantle 12.13 (85) at Subiaco Oval R14, 2016, Collingwood 12.13 (85) d Fremantle 5.7 (37) at the MCG R13, 2015, Fremantle 12.8 (80) d Collingwood 11.7 (73) at Subiaco Oval R1, 2014, Fremantle 17.14 (116) d Collingwood 5.16 (46) at Etihad Stadium LADDER POSITIONS Collingwood: 3 Fremantle: 14 INJURY LIST Tyson Goldsack (knee / back) - available Flynn Appleby (hamstring) - available Jeremy Howe (corkie) - 1 week Darcy Moore (hamstring) - TBC Ben Reid (calf) - TBC Adam Treloar (hamstrings) - 2-3 weeks Jamie Elliott (hamstring) - season Kayle Kirby (medical condition) - season Matthew Scharenberg (knee) - season Tim Broomhead (broken leg) - season Lynden Dunn (knee) - season Daniel Wells (foot) - season SUMMARY Despite a nightmare run with injuries that would cripple most sides, Collingwood travels west with the very real chance of booking a home qualifying final. If the Magpies can touch up the Dockers and boost their percentage, they are likely to fly home on Saturday night inside the top-two, with West Coast then needing to topple Brisbane at the Gabba on Sunday to claim the right to two home finals. If the Pies lose, they could still fall to fifth and face an elimination final, so there's plenty at stake for Nathan Buckley's men. The Dockers were horrendous in Geelong and suffered a club record 133-point hammering on one of the darkest days in their 23-year history. Couple that humiliation with veteran defender Michael Johnson's likely farewell game, and probably Danyle Pearce's as well, and Freo should have more than enough motivation to finish 2018 strongly, but whether Ross Lyon can inspire a competitive effort remains to be seen.  AFL THE SIX POINTS Collingwood's mobile forward line proved the difference in round 11, with Will Hoskin-Elliott kicking a career-high six goals, Brody Mihocek slotting four and Tom Phillips adding three. The Magpies have spent most of the season as the highest disposal team (averaging 404.2 per game), while the Dockers average 361.2, ranking them 15th. Collingwood is among the most dynamic and highest scoring teams this season, averaging 93 points (AFL No.3), but Freo has generally lacked firepower, and averages 70 points (AFL No.15). Fremantle has won two of the past three against the Pies in Perth. Collingwood has claimed interstate wins against Adelaide, Brisbane and Gold Coast this year, and lost to Sydney by two points in round 20. Collingwood will be aiming for their 15th win, which would be the most in the home and away season for the Magpies since 2012. A loss for the rebuilding Dockers and it will be back-to-back seasons of eight wins.  Michael Johnson will bid farewell to the Freo faithful after an exceptional 244-game career. The 33-year-old was ranked the League's third-best key defender at the start of 2015 by the Schick AFL Player Ratings. IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Ross Lyon The Dockers can't accept efforts like they dished up in Geelong and it's up to coach Ross Lyon to find a way to rally the troops and inspire a competitive effort at home, or else it will be a long off-season.    PREDICTION: Collingwood by 42 points

2018: LADDER ROUND 22

Pos Position     P Played     Pts Points     % Percentage     W Won     L Lost     

D Drawn     F Points For     A Points Against

Round 22: Collingwood 115 Port Adelaide 64

THE FACTS

2018 AFL Round 23 COLLINGWOOD v FREMANTLE Time & Place: Saturday August 25, 4:35pm EST Perth Stadium Fox Footy 4:30pm EST Weather: Min 9 Max 19 Chance of rain 0%: 0mm Wind: W 17kph Betting: Collingwood $1.25 Fremantle $4.00

COLLINGWOOD   4.2.26  9.7.61  10.11.71  17.13.115
PORT ADELAIDE  4.1.25  7.2.44     9.4.58      10.4.64

GOALS - Collingwood: Stephenson 2, Phillips 2, Mihocek 2, De Goey 2, Sier, Varcoe, Adams, Oxley, Sidebottom, Cox, Grundy, Mayne, Thomas

BEST - Collingwood: Adams, Grundy, Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Mayne, Maynard

INJURIES - Collingwood: De Goey (leg)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 46,286 at the MCG

TALKING POINTS

1. Polec's Exhibit A on his trade appeal Port Adelaide wingman Jared Polec has "quite unique offers" to mull over, as his coach Ken Hinkley put it – namely a reported $3.5 million dollar, five-year deal from North Melbourne. For all the Roos' midfield grunt, they need a line-breaking runner who can drive the ball forward. That's why it would be money well spent on Polec, who is enjoying a career-best season. He had a goal-square blunder where he dropped a chest mark and cost the Power a goal, but he quickly made up for it. Receiving the ball on the defensive side of the centre square, Polec chipped the ball forward to Aidyn Johnson, followed up to receive the handball, then twice sold candy to opponents before rifling through a magnificent left-foot goal. He's exactly what North needs, but that sexy skillset is why Hinkley and the Power are so keen to keep him, too. 2. Plenty of candy to go around The American Pie, Collingwood's 211cm friendly giant Mason Cox, clearly had a look at what Jared Polec did earlier. Cox found himself in a foot race with Jack Hombsch near the boundary and did wonderfully to push the Port defender off balance and barely keep the ball inside the field of play. What came next was even better – Cox used his Inspector Gadget arms to great effect, faking to go right, only to dish a handball to Brodie Grundy then follow up with a tackle. Order was restored soon after when Cox plucked a one-hander from the sky, but we'll always have the Magpie forward's 'little-man' moment. 3. Was this the turning point? Steven Motlop was one of Port's best, but his hit to the chest of Magpie Brayden Maynard gifted Adam Oxley a 50m penalty and goal at a crucial time in the third quarter. That stretched Collingwood's margin to 12 points and was the first of eight straight black and white majors. No matter how you look at it, the Power never recovered from that moment – and the true cost will be known next Friday night when its finals hopes go on the line. 4. Adams contracts a severe case of leather poisoning It's nothing new for Taylor Adams to feature prominently on the stats sheet, but his second quarter at the MCG on Saturday was outrageous even by his standards. By the time Adams banged through a 50m goal nearing half-time, he had 16 disposals (five contested), two clearances (one out of the centre), 229 metres gained and four score involvements for the term. The Magpie is often chastised for his kicking, but the most telling part of his outburst was that 13 of his possessions were effective. That should silence the doubters for another week. 5. Jordan can De Goey anywhere It wasn't only Jordan De Goey's new haircut that sparked discussion on Saturday. He looked up and about early in attack with a goal in the opening minute, but he had only five touches to his name at half-time. Nathan Buckley went to Plan B, switching his game-breaker into the middle in what proved a masterstroke. De Goey doubled his possession tally and ignited the Magpies in the third term just as Port Adelaide threatened to overrun them. He added four more disposals and a second goal by the time Collingwood put him on ice midway through the final term. What is De Goey's best position, you ask? The answer seems to be wherever he is most needed.

THE MEDIA

SUPERFOOTY LOCK it in, Eddie. Collingwood made the right call when it re-signed Nathan Buckley last August amid a declaration from the president that the club’s list was playing for its coach. Saturday’s 51-point win against a Port Adelaide line-up treating the Round 22 clash as a final sealed the Magpies’ return to the finals. There were valid reasons to turf Buckley last year, most notably the declining six-year graph from fourth to 13th. There are valid reasons why this season could’ve been a failure, most notably an injury list longer than Mason Cox’s arms. But it has been a success, and one which would become resounding with a climb into the top four next week. Parking the 14 wins, this has already been a home-and-away season filled with positives. There has been the emergence of Brody Mihocek and Tom Phillips, the resurgence of Josh Thomas and Chris Mayne, the elevation of All-Australian prospect Brody Grundy, the explosion of Jordan De Goey and the revelation of Rising Star favourite Jaidyn Stephenson. Strong midfielder Brayden Sier suddenly looks a find and Nathan Murphy opened his AFL innings with 14 disposals. Murphy became the club’s seventh debutant against Port Adelaide and the No. 39 draft pick became the 39th player used in a testing campaign. Power stars Ollie Wines and Robbie Gray had set-shots for the lead in the third quarter and from there the visitors were crunched. The Magpies slammed on the next eight goals, and North Melbourne players watching on from Adelaide would’ve enjoyed the percentage points being drained from Port. The high stakes were evident with a glance at the early match-ups. Collingwood high-flyer Jeremy Howe noted from the radio box that Darcy Byrne-Jones was tagging Steele Sidebottom, Levi Greenwood was tracking Chad Wingard and Tom Rockliff was following Scott Pendlebury. It worked for the visitors. At quarter-time Sidebottom and Pendlebury had combined for just three disposals. But with the silk in the shade, Taylor Adams picked up the slack. Adams’ 17th disposal of the second quarter was a set-shot goal as the Magpies pushed three goals clear. It was a first half played in patches. After De Goey goaled in the opening seconds of the game, the Magpies travelled 13 minutes without an inside 50m as Port Adelaide peeled off three goals. Then, the Magpies added 3.1 in the first two minutes of the second quarter as they recorded 24 of the first 25 disposals. Jared Polec provided the game’s highlight. The man in demand sold candy to dance past two Magpies and into the 50m before slotting a snazzy goal on the run. It was Mick McGuane-esque and Polec owed his teammates. Minutes earlier, the dashing playmaker dropped a mark on the goal line, gifting Stephenson his first major. At halftime this looked a cracker. That changed as quickly as the pre-game weather, with a 20-minute patch in the third quarter warranting the Benny Hill soundtrack. Fans must’ve felt like they were watching a tennis match, swivelling their heads from left to right as a litany of turnovers were committed in front of the MCC wing. Finally, a 50m penalty — albeit a soft one, paid against Steven Motlop — calmed the match as Adam Oxley converted a simple set shot. Magpie fans would’ve been nervous as he approached, with several Oxley errors leaving them shaking their heads in the first half. Cox drew three free kicks with his size challenging Port and Buckley is cashing in on his longstanding faith in the American. And Eddie is cashing on his longstanding love for Buckley. AFL COLLINGWOOD has kept its top-four bid alive and left Port Adelaide's finals hopes hanging by a thread after a rampaging seven-goal final quarter set up an emphatic 51-point victory at the MCG on Saturday. The Magpies led by just six points in the dying minutes of the third quarter after the teams had waged the type of hard-fought contest you'd expect of clubs looking to position themselves for successful September campaigns. However, the game turned decisively when Steven Motlop conceded an undisciplined 50m penalty late in the third term. It sparked a run of eight unanswered Collingwood goals and, with the Power not adding another major until the dying seconds of the game, the Magpies cruised to a 17.13 (115) to 10.4 (64) victory that broke a four-game losing streak against Port. Collingwood, who started the round fifth on the ladder less than three per cent behind fourth-placed Hawthorn, climbed to third after their win, but will likely slip back to fifth by the end of Saturday if Greater Western Sydney beats Sydney at Spotless Stadium and the Hawks defeat St Kilda at Etihad Stadium. There had been heavy rain in the lead-up to the game, but the sun came out in time for the opening bounce and kept shining for much of the afternoon. Magpies fans were smiling just as brightly at the end of the game as they looked forward to their first final series since 2012. Collingwood led by one point at quarter-time and 17 points at half-time, but knowing their season was on the line the Power responded, closing to within four points after kicking the opening two goals of the third term, through Robbie Gray and Paddy Ryder. The game then descended into a defensive scrap – it had rained briefly at the start of the third quarter – as both teams struggled to find a decisive way forward, with backwards handballs, hurried kicks and turnovers the order of the term. The Power let the Magpies off the hook late in the quarter, however, when Motlop gave away the fateful 50m penalty after hitting Brayden Maynard in the chest. It was not forceful enough to warrant a report, but it was enough to put Adam Oxley within scoring distance and the Magpie defender made no mistake with his set shot to give Collingwood a 12-point advantage. Brodie Grundy (25 possessions, 41 hit-outs, eight clearances and eight tackles) was outstanding in the ruck for the Magpies, as were Taylor Adams (30 possessions – 23 in the first half – seven tackles and five clearances), Steele Sidebottom (33 possessions, five tackles and one goal) and Scott Pendlebury (25 possessions, seven tackles and five clearances) through the midfield. Brayden Maynard (23 possessions and eight tackles) mixed stingy defence with damaging counter-attack, while Chris Mayne (27 possessions) continued his resurgence this year. Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was understandably pleased with his team's ability to put Port to the sword late in the match. "We didn't think we started the game that well … our backs held up really well for the majority of the match, but early they were able to win some one-on-ones," Buckley said. "They found some shots on goal (and) they nailed them all, but I thought on ground, as much as off ground, in the breaks we were able to make some adjustments that just reinforced our strengths and took some of the opposition's away. "The last 45 minutes was a really consolidated brand of football – on both sides of the ball and the contest – so that was a good example of us playing pretty solid footy." Port's loss was its third in a row and its fifth from its past six matches. After round 16 the Power had sat fourth on the ladder, but to make the finals they will now have to defeat Essendon at Adelaide Oval next Friday night and hope other results fall their way. "It was really disappointing with so much to play for in that last quarter. Collingwood just kept applying the pressure and they kept turning the heat up and we were unable to go with them at any stage in the last quarter," Port coach Ken Hinkley said after the game. "We probably hung in as best we could because we didn't look convincing at any stage. They just kept hunting us and we kept feeling their hunt. "The scoreboard got us right by the end, I thought that was the margin between the two teams. One team was playing really strong aggressive football and one team was playing quite passive football." Port captain Travis Boak (27 possessions, five clearances and two goals) led from the front, and received able support through the midfield from Motlop (28 possessions and five clearances) and Ollie Wines (29 possessions and four clearances). Mobile tall Justin Westhoff (22 possessions, 10 tackles and one goal) worked hard all over the ground, while Paddy Ryder (three goals) was noticeably restricted by his hip and Achilles tendon issues but at least gave the Power a target in attack. MEDICAL ROOM Collingwood: Jordan De Goey spent the final 15 minutes of the game on the interchange bench icing his leg, but coach Nathan Buckley stressed post-match that this had been a purely precautionary measure. NEXT UP The Magpies play Fremantle next Saturday afternoon at Optus Stadium, in what will be their first game at the new home of West Australian football. REAL FOOTY What was a free-flowing, entertaining contest through the first half degenerated into a tense, error-ridden clash as the stakes rose in the third term at the MCG on Saturday. It was understandable, for Collingwood and Port Adelaide had much to play for in the penultimate round of the home-and-away campaign. For the Magpies, there was the chance to rubber-stamp a finals berth for the first time after five years of frustration, debate, reviews and calls for sackings. For the Power, finals were also on the line. While the number of mistakes rose, the Magpies' will did not falter, and this proved pivotal in what ultimately was a crushing 51-point win. The Pies have stared down adversity all season, largely through a long injury list, and this determination will stand them in good stead come September. They are a legitimate premiership contender, particularly if Adam Treloar can return, and could finish in the top four should they edge Fremantle in Perth next week. A third-term arm-wrestle became a final-term procession as the Magpies slammed on seven goals to one, the Power's only major coming with one second remaining. Taylor Adams has endured criticism over his disposal efficiency but he was resolute against the Power. He was regularly in the thick of the action, an area the Magpies dominated their opponents. The Pies had 31 more contested possessions, with Adams, ruckman Brodie Grundy and Scott Pendlebury central to this. Pendlebury had only three touches to quarter-time, when held by Tom Rockliff, but he worked his way into the contest and finished with 14 contested touches. "We treated it as a mini-final ... we battled all day. We put scoreboard pressure on in the final term and kept the foot on the throat," Pendlebury said. Grundy was arguably best on ground. While Paddy Ryder, nursing hip and Achilles tendon issues, took to the field, and booted three goals, Grundy dominated the hit outs and was typically industrious around the ground. He, surely, will poll strongly come Brownlow Medal night. Steele Sidebottom was also quiet early but had important touches when the contest was at its fiercest. Jordan De Goey had been relatively sedate up forward before he was sent into the middle in the third term. Three touches in a minute helped to lift his confidence heading into a final term the Magpies dominated. "We put him (de Goey) in the midfield rotations halfway through that third quarter and he had an impact for us," Pies coach Nathan Buckley said. "Having said that, we have got some boys that played some pretty strong games in there, great leaders in Tay (Taylor Adams), 'Pendles' and Steele, and Brayden Sier keeps backing up and playing his role. Josh Thomas, Levi Greenwood - we have got some guys who have stood up and executed pretty well." Leading by 13 points, the Pies were imperious with finals there for the taking. De Goey was busy until he spent the final eight minutes on the bench icing his right lower leg. Nathan Murphy, once a promising cricketer, was composed across half back, having become the Magpies' seventh debutant this season, while a reborn Chris Mayne had a career-high 27 disposals on a wing. "'Murph', in the last couple of weeks in the VFL, had been in great form, was in his best form of the season, so he came good at the right time," Buckley said. "It was probably due to his training form, in no small part. We had 15 minutes of match practice on Thursday and he played on Jordy (de Goey) and won 80 per cent of the one-on-ones he found himself in." The Power were disappointing, although it should be remembered they had lost four of their past five heading into this contest. Steven Motlop, Travis Boak and Jared Polec provided run, defender Dan Houston had the better of Will Hoskin-Elliott but the Power lacked the necessary line breakers. The Magpies' fast finish belied their slow start, when red lights were flashing in the coaches box through the game's opening 15 minutes. The Power had three goals on the board within the opening eight minutes, the Pies only one, while prime movers Sidebottom and Pendlebury were in the wrong postcode - the former with one touch, the latter yet to find the ball. The Power dominated inside 50s 7-1 and uncontested marks 13-3 but slowly the wheel turned, and the Pies' hard work meant they had a quarter-time lead after Tom Phillips, Brayden Sier - coming after crashing tackle on Riley Bonner - and Brody Mihocek, taking advantage of a free kick to Mason Cox, hit the scoreboard. This momentum continued early in the second term. Travis Varcoe, who caused trouble all day in his 200th match, snapped successfully, while Jaidyn Stephenson quickly followed up when Polec fumbled a mark while running back with the flight of the ball. When Sidebottom contributed to Mihocek's second major, the Pies had a 20-point lead. Could the Power respond? Polec, considering a multi-million dollar offer to join North Melbourne, rebounded with a clever goal of his own, while Boak made the most of being awarded a controversial mark about 20m out. It became something of an arm-wrestle from that point, with Adams leading the way for the Pies with 16 touches for the term. The home side enjoyed a 15-8 advantage in inside 50s for the term, and should have led by more than three goals at the main break.

2018 Round 22: The Team, Preview, Injury List

2018 AFL Round 22 COLLINGWOOD v PORT ADELAIDE Time & Place: Saturday August 18, 1:45pm EST MCG Fox Footy 1:30pm EST Weather: Min 8 Max 14 Chance of rain 80%: 1-5mm Wind: W 25kph Betting: Collingwood $1.42 Port Adelaide $2.90

B: Brayden Maynard, Tom Langdon, Jack Crisp

HB: Sam Murray, Jack Madgen, Levi Greenwood

C: Travis Varcoe, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips

HF: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Brody Mihocek, Jordan De Goey

F: Josh Thomas, Mason Cox, Jaidyn Stephenson

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom

Int: Brayden Sier, James Aish, Chris Mayne, Adam Oxley

Emg: Jarryd Blair, Callum Brown, Josh Daicos, Sam McLarty

COLLINGWOOD NEWS COLLINGWOOD V PORT ADELAIDE Collingwood will field an unchanged line-up in Saturday’s huge game against Port Adelaide at the MCG. Jarryd Blair, Callum Brown, Josh Daicos and Sam McLarty were all in contention to come into the team after strong performances in the VFL, but they have been named as emergencies. It is the first time this season that the Pies have fielded the same team in consecutive matches. The game will be a milestone occasion for Travis Varcoe, who's playing his 200th AFL match.

AFL PREVIEW ROUND 22 COLLINGWOOD V PORT ADELAIDE AFL LAST FIVE TIMES R21, 2017, Port Adelaide 14.14 (98) d Collingwood 10.11 (71) Adelaide Oval R14, 2017, Port Adelaide 13.15 (93) d Collingwood 9.8 (62) MCG R11, 2016, Port Adelaide 19.11 (125) d Collingwood 7.16 (58) MCG R15, 2015, Port Adelaide 9.12 (66) d Collingwood 9.9 (63) Adelaide Oval R19, 2014, Collingwood 11.10 (76) d Port Adelaide 10.10 (70) MCG LADDER POSITIONS Collingwood: 5 Port Adelaide: 8 INJURY LIST Ben Reid (calf) – TBC Rupert Wills (hamstring) – test Jeremy Howe (corkie) – 1 week Flynn Appleby (hamstring) – 1-2 weeks Tyson Goldsack (knee / back) – 1-2 weeks Darcy Moore (hamstring) – 3-4 weeks Adam Treloar (hamstrings) – 5-6 weeks Jamie Elliott (knee) – season Kayle Kirby (medical condition) - indefinite Matthew Scharenberg (knee) - season Tim Broomhead (broken leg) – season Lynden Dunn (knee) – season Daniel Wells (foot) – season SUMMARY This critical MCG clash has must-win status for both teams, firstly to make the finals and secondly to push their top-four claims. Port Adelaide, which holds onto eighth spot by just a game, is ruing missed opportunities after losing four of its past five games but will be invigorated by its good recent record both against the Pies and at the MCG. The Power must now combat the loss of key forward Charlie Dixon for the rest of the season, which should provide some relief for the Pies' small defence, while Port ruckman Paddy Ryder is also under an injury cloud, which could give Collingwood's talented midfield brigade an armchair ride through Brodie Grundy's tap work. The injury-hit Pies, who sit fifth, will be tough to toss at the MCG, where they have won five of their past seven games, the only blemishes being against League leaders Richmond and West Coast. AFL THE SIX POINTS Port Adelaide has had the better of Collingwood recently, winning its past four matches and six of seven. The Magpies last defeated the Power in round 19, 2014. The Power's small men did the damage when these teams last met, with Travis Boak, Robbie Gray, Sam Gray, Jake Neade and Jarman Impey combining for eight goals between them. Port has been in good touch at the MCG, where it has won four of its past five games, while Collingwood has won seven and lost six on the hallowed turf this year. Collingwood continues to be the highest-ranked disposal team this season, averaging 404.5 a game, well clear of the Power, who are ranked 10th with 377.1. Another win for the Magpies and it will be the first time they've won 14 games in a home and away season since 2013. The Power have lost four of their past five games by an average margin of just 10 points. In the Schick AFL Player Ratings, Collingwood boasts seven players among the top 55 (Brodie Grundy 6, Scott Pendlebury 10, Adam Treloar 12, Steele Sidebottom 38, Taylor Adams 42, Jack Crisp 51 and Jeremy Howe 55) while Port Adelaide has just three (Robbie Gray 23, Paddy Ryder 29 and Ollie Wines 54). IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Robbie Gray With no Charlie Dixon to crash packs in attack, the Power's small forwards, led by Robbie Gray, will need to hit the scoreboard. The champion forward/midfielder kicked two goals last week but will be smarting after missing a set shot that would have given the Power breathing space in the last quarter of their after-the-siren loss to West Coast at home. In the corresponding game at the MCG last year, he kicked five goals in a best-afield effort. PREDICTION: Collingwood by 15 points

2018: LADDER ROUND 21

Pos Position     P Played     Pts Points     % Percentage     W Won    
 L Lost     D Drawn     F Points For     A Points Against

Round 21: Collingwood 104 Brisbane 73

THE FACTS

2018 AFL Round 22 COLLINGWOOD v PORT ADELAIDE Time & Place: Saturday August 18, 1:45pm EST MCG Fox Footy 1:30pm EST Weather: Min 6 Max 13 Chance of rain 60%: 2mm Wind: W 24kph Betting: Collingwood $1.57 Port Adelaide $2.42

COLLINGWOOD   1.3.9   5.7.37   11.14.80   14.20.104
BRISBANE          3.4.22  5.4.34       8.4.52       11.7.73

GOALS - Collingwood: De Goey 4, Mihocek 3, Stephenson 2, Mayne 2, Varcoe, Sier, Thomas

BEST - Collingwood: De Goey, Adams, Grundy, Sidebottom, Sier, Pendlebury

INJURIES - Collingwood: Nil

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 33,390 at Etihad Stadium

TALKING POINTS

1. Levi shows no remorse on wounded Lion At the seven-minute mark of the third term, the margin was just four points to the advantage of Collingwood. The intensity between the two sides had lifted, while the atmosphere inside Etihad Stadium was immense. Dayne Zorko was best on ground the last time the two sides met, but this time round, Levi Greenwood was handed the almighty task of controlling the Lions hard-nut. And as Josh Thomas began a set-shot approach from inside 50, Zorko was on his haunches catching his breath after copping a bruising hit. Greenwood, who had been conjoined at Zorko’s hip all night, didn’t view this opportunity any differently. Greenwood led with both his knees and drove them into the rib cage of Zorko. Clearly angered, Zorko let his frustration show, sharing a war of words and a number of jumper punches with the Magpie tagger. But Greenwood had the last laugh, restricting the Lions skipper to just 14 disposals for the night in his side’s 31-point win. 2. Great Dayne sends Pies barking mad Originally from Gold Coast’s hinterland, Dayne Beams was recruited by Collingwood with Pick No.29 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft. But a lot has changed since the Great Dayne lifted a premiership trophy in just his second season. At the end of 2014, Beams headed home and landed at the Brisbane Lions. They have been grateful for his tireless contribution ever since, and against his former side on Saturday night, Beams (a game-high 33 disposals, five clearances and one goal) ran riot through the Lions’ midfield to continue his outstanding season that holds him in All Australian contention. There have been whispers for the large part of the season, Beams - who is contracted until the end of next season - is keen to return back to Victoria. It was rumoured midweek he had been approached by Essendon, but the Bombers denied such talks had taken place. With the speculation around Beams’ future sure to continue, Brisbane must ensure its best player remains a Lion as his leadership and influence are priceless. 3. Young cubs have bright future Brisbane may only have four wins for the season, but it possesses a list full of youth and full of potential. The Lions were gallant in defeat, particularly after being reduced to three men on the bench following Gardiner’s injury in the first term. And while former skipper Dayne Beams led the charge, it was the inexperienced brigade – Alex Witherden, Hugh McCluggage, Cameron Rayner, Rhys Mathieson and Jarrod Berry – that battled tirelessly and provided unwithering support. Not one of the quintet has played more than 50 games, but on Saturday night they all showed glimpses of brilliance. The Lions may currently sit 16th on the ladder, but there is no question they have a bright future ahead and finals in 2019 should be in their sights. 4. Rising stars go head to head Saturday night’s clash at Etihad Stadium gave onlookers the opportunity to witness two of the League’s most promising youngsters, Jaidyn Stephenson and Alex Witherden. Pies coach Nathan Buckley has not been afraid at times this season to play Stephenson one-out in the goal square, and while that role was De Goey’s on Saturday night, the Pies’ first-year recruit was still able to have a major influence finishing with 25 disposals, eight marks and two goals. Unlike Stephenson, Witherden is in his second season, and while he had a solid end to 2017, this season has elevated his game to another level. And it was evident against the Pies. The Lions defender used his excellent foot skills and game sense to his advantage en route to 30 disposals and a game-high 11 marks. It’s no surprise the duo are favourites to finish 1st and 2nd for this season’s NAB Rising Star award.

THE MEDIA

SUPERFOOTY TIPPING point, breaking point, situation critical. The doomsayers have been bandying around plenty such terms amid Collingwood’s deepening injury crisis. The Pies simply can’t take a trick, again highlighted by Ben Reid suffering a fresh calf complaint in his VFL return from knee injuries which had sidelined him since Round 10. Yet, Nathan Buckley and his side are having nothing of the external injury “narrative”. And those who had written off Collingwood’s premiership chances ought have a rethink. The fact is the Magpies remain very much in the hunt to secure a top-four spot after returning to the winners’ list against Brisbane by 31 points at Etihad Stadium. And, as we know, make the top-four and you give yourself as good a chance as any of saluting on that last Saturday in September. Collingwood has structure, is bringing serious pressure, possesses a gun ruckman in Brodie Grundy, has midfield depth and has scoring power from a multitude of sources. Sidelined for the previous two games with leg bone bruising, Jordan De Goey’s return made the Magpies’ forward line look infinitely more dangerous. It was an ‘almost’ night for the recently re-signed star, who kicked four goals but could have easily had six or seven if not for a few bad misses and balls that slipped through his fingers. Along with fellow classy forwards Brody Mihocek (three goals) and Jaidyn Stephenson (two goals) — and even Chris Mayne who also bobbed up with two majors — Collingwood has no shortage of avenues to goal. But it was the depleted defensive unit — led by second-gamer Jack Madgen, Brayden Maynard and Tom Langdon — that would have been most pleasing for Buckley. Brisbane had 22 inside 50s in the opening quarter for only three goals and finished with just 11 majors among 18 scoring shots for the match. While the ladder might show them as a bottom-four side, the Lions are no slouches and had travelled south with a plan. Early on they chipped the ball around, taking uncontested marks and keeping the ball away from the contest and a Collingwood side which ranked second in the competition for pressure factor differential. The only problem is they only managed to maintain that for the first 50 minutes. Once Collingwood got going with three unanswered goals during time-on in the second term and lifted its pressure around the ground after a sloppy start there was no looking back. The Magpies now face a Port Adelaide side with their own injury woes at the MCG next Saturday before a final-round clash with the struggling Fremantle in Perth. Win both of those and top-four looks a very likely prospect. Collingwood continues to defy the odds and how far it can go will be fascinating to watch. AFL JORDAN De Goey's importance to injury-ravaged Collingwood's finals aspirations has been emphasised by the bullocking Magpie's four-goal game against Brisbane on Saturday night. De Goey, playing mainly in the forward line after missing the last two weeks with bone stress in his leg, was the Pies' most dangerous forward in their 31-point win over the Lions after overcoming a scratchy start. He finished the game on the bench when the result was beyond doubt, with the Pies choosing to limit his game time. The 14.20 (104) to 11.7 (73) win at Etihad Stadium keeps the Pies' top four ambitions alive, and although they'll remain in the bottom half of the eight at the end of this round, they'll be locked on 52 points at least with the fourth-placed Hawthorn with two games left. The Lions weren't disgraced and played typically like a team with nothing to lose, with Dayne Beams leading the midfield charge with 33 touches, Alex Witherden picking up 30 and Eric Hipwood booting three goals. They even led for the majority of the first half after getting the early jump and dominating the first quarter with 22 to six inside 50s, thanks to the experienced leadership of Luke Hodge. Coach Chris Fagan was proud of the in-roads his team has made across the season with their ladder position not necessarily a reflection of their ability. "We're better than a four-win team, I think everyone knows that," Fagan said. "We're a much more competitive team [than last year]. I know we've improved a lot and the players know they've improved a lot, we haven't necessarily got the wins to show for it, but we're confident we're heading in the right direction." On Saturday night, the first-quarter loss of Darcy Gardiner to a dislocated shoulder forced a reshuffle of the Lions' defence and Nick Robertson struggled at times to contain De Goey, who took a team-high four marks inside 50. De Goey's successful return will be welcome news for the battered Pies. Earlier on Saturday, they lost swingman Ben Reid to a calf injury in his VFL return following surgery on both knees early last month. However, they appear to have emerged from the win over the Lions unscathed and are hoping to welcome back defender Jeremy Howe from a cork for next week's clash with Port Adelaide. They will also be pleased with the form of Levi Greenwood, who claimed another scalp from a fiery tagging job against in-form Lions captain Dayne Zorko. Zorko had just two touches in the first quarter despite the Lions' early dominance where they locked the ball inside their forward 50 and forced the Pies into a number of horrendous back-half turnovers. He didn't improve much after that, finishing with just 14 for the game, although he was treated for a sore ankle a few times after the main break. Greenwood won the war but potentially not the moral battle, having nudged Zorko while he was crouching to attend to his ankle in the third quarter. Coach Nathan Buckley said Greenwood's performance was "huge" after Zorko had 34 touches and kicked four goals against them in round seven. "It wasn't just on Zorko, I thought his pressure around the clinches was back to his best and some of his tackle efforts and pressure on the opposition, whether it was Zorko or another player, really set the tone," Buckley said. "I thought his performance was disciplined and consistent." The Magpies as a collective were marginally better with their ball use in the second term, and it allowed De Goey a cleaner look at forward entries and saw Brody Mihocek boot two of his three goals. After claiming the lead for the first time minutes before half-time, the Pies were only headed once again as they motored to 28-point lead at the final change. Things got messy for the young Lions after that with Taylor Adams finishing with 33 disposals and Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury 28 each, with the Pies recording a much-needed win following losses to Richmond and Sydney in the last fortnight. MEDICAL ROOM The Magpies appear to have got through this one without adding to their lengthy injury list, but the loss of Reid to a torn calf in the VFL hurts. With their backline already decimated following season-ending injuries to Lynden Dunn and Matt Scharenberg, plus Darcy Moore's on-going hamstring trouble, Reid was one they would have loved to have been moving towards an AFL return. De Goey finished his first game back from leg bone stress on the bench in what the Pies said was a purely precautionary move. NEXT UP The Pies will host Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday in a game that looms as significant for both teams' September aspirations. REAL FOOTY Collingwood remain cautiously optimistic that high flying defender Jeremy Howe can return to play Port Adelaide at the MCG next Saturday as he recovers from a serious corked thigh. The 28-year-old is desperately needed to support the injury-hit defence that remains undersized heading into finals although the Power will be without key forward Charlie Dixon after he injured his ankle in round 21. Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said Howe was no certainty to return but he would be tough enough to return as soon as he was "thereabouts". "[He was a] bleed from a cork," Buckley said. [We are] trying to manage that and get that down and get him back to full range. "When he is thereabouts he will play and we hope it is next week." The coach said he was pleased with the efforts of the defenders, particularly Tom Langdon who he said stood up against the height of Lions' forward Eric Hipwood. "It was something we were able to get done," Buckley said. The Magpies will be without Lynden Dunn and Matt Scharenberg for the rest of the season while hopes of Ben Reid making a late season return dimmed when he tore the same calf he tore in round 10 in the VFL on Saturday. Buckley has not given up on Tyson Goldsack making a miracle return from a knee reconstruction despite a back problem delaying return that was expected to occur two weeks ago. The Magpies are also taking a cautious approach with Darcy Moore after he suffered a hamstring injury again in round 20, with no date set for his return. Midfielder Adam Treloar is also training strongly and giving himself every chance to return for the finals if the Magpies qualify. He has not played since suffering a serious hamstring injury in round 14. Buckley had a wry smile when asked whether the dynamic midfielder was telling him he would be available soon. "He is doing some good things ... there is enough time and for every win we get we give him a little more time," Buckley said.

2018 Round 21: The Team, Preview, Injury List

2018 AFL Round 21 COLLINGWOOD v BRISBANE Time & Place: Saturday August 11, 7:25pm EST Etihad Stadium Fox Sports 7:00pm EST Weather: Min 8 Max 13 Chance of rain 80%: 1-5mm Wind: WNW 12kph Betting: Collingwood $1.29 Brisbane $3.66

B: Brayden Maynard, Tom Langdon, Jack Crisp

HB: Sam Murray, Jack Madgen, Levi Greenwood

C: Travis Varcoe, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips

HF: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Brody Mihocek, Jordan De Goey

F: Josh Thomas, Mason Cox, Jaidyn Stephenson

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom

Int: Brayden Sier, James Aish, Chris Mayne, Adam Oxley

Emg: Callum Brown, Josh Smith, Josh Daicos, Sam McLarty

IN: James Aish, Jordan De Goey, Adam Oxley
OUT: Darcy Moore (hamstring), Callum Brown (omitted), Josh Daicos (omitted

COLLINGWOOD NEWS COLLINGWOOD V BRISBANE Collingwood has made three changes for Saturday night's big game against the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium. Jordan De Goey, James Aish and Adam Oxley have come into the side. A hamstring injury has forced Darcy Moore out of the team. Callum Brown and Josh Daicos have been omitted. De Goey returns after missing two matches due to a leg injury, while Aish is back for his first AFL game since suffering a knee injury against Richmond in round six. Aish has spent the past three weekends running around in the VFL. Oxley, meanwhile, has earned a call-up for his first AFL match since round 22, 2016. The rookie-listed defender has regularly been among the VFL Pies' best players in recent weeks. He was the travelling emergency for the AFL clash with the Swans in Sydney last weekend, then returned home and racked up 23 disposals and seven rebound-50s in the VFL game against the Box Hill Hawks.

AFL PREVIEW ROUND 21 COLLINGWOOD V BRISBANE AFL LAST FIVE TIMES R7, 2018, Collingwood 19.7 (121) d Brisbane Lions 18.6 (114) at the Gabba R10, 2017, Collingwood 18.21 (129) d Brisbane Lions 13.6 (84) at the MCG R8, 2016, Collingwood 20.23 (143) d Brisbane Lions 10.5 (65) at the Gabba R1, 2015, Collingwood 12.14 (86) d Brisbane Lions 11.8 (74) at the Gabba R21, 2014, Brisbane Lions 18.15 (123) d Collingwood 8.8 (56) at the MCG LADDER POSITIONS Collingwood: 6 Brisbane: 16 INJURY LIST Jamie Elliott (hamstring) – TBC Jordan De Goey (leg) – test Tyson Goldsack (knee / back) – test Jeremy Howe (concussion / corkie) – test Ben Reid (knees) Rupert Wills (hamstring) – test Flynn Appleby (hamstring) – 1-2 weeks Adam Treloar (hamstrings) – 5-6 weeks Darcy Moore (hamstring) – 3-4 weeks Kayle Kirby (medical condition) - indefinite Matthew Scharenberg (knee) - season Tim Broomhead (broken leg) – season Lynden Dunn (knee) – season Daniel Wells (foot) – season SUMMARY Collingwood should win well enough to sew up a finals berth, but this encounter has all the hallmarks of a danger game. The fast track under the roof at Etihad Stadium might well provide the ideal setting for the nothing-to-lose Lions to be the party poopers. The Pies have been challenged physically and mentally as a horrific casualty list and a series of formidable opponents have taken their toll, with the Woods winning just one of their past four games to jeopardise their spot in the top eight. Fresh in the memory is the exhilarating round seven clash between the clubs in which Brisbane almost upset Collingwood in a free-flowing shootout at the Gabba. The Lions have lost three in a row but two of them were by under a goal, and a big scalp on the run home would further vindicate the club’s bold new direction. AFL THE SIX POINTS Collingwood has won its past four games against Brisbane and seven of the past eight since 2011. The Lions last defeated the Pies in round 21, 2014. The Magpies are the fourth-highest-scoring team this season, averaging 92 points a game, while Brisbane is 10th with 84. Their previous clash in round seven at the Gabba was one of the highest-scoring games of the season, producing a combined 37 goals. Jordan De Goey booted five for the Magpies, who won by seven points, while Lewis Taylor kicked four for the Lions. The teams have played only once at Etihad Stadium – back in round eight, 2002, when Collingwood upset reigning premier Brisbane by three points. The Lions have lost nine of their past 11 games at the Docklands venue. Another Collingwood loss and it will be the first time since rounds 14-16 last year that the Pies will have lost three in a row. Meanwhile, the Lions’ losing streak stands at three. Collingwood runner Jack Crisp is the AFL’s second-best small/medium defender, according to the Schick AFL Player Ratings, rising to a career-best ranking of No.53. He is the seventh-highest ranked Magpie. IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Cameron Rayner With 30 seconds left in the clash with North Melbourne at the Gabba last round, Rayner favoured a ‘Stevie J’ snap instead of a regulation drop punt and missed a set shot that would have won the game for Brisbane. After the final siren, the Lions prodigy was inconsolable. This looms as an early test in what is expected to be a long and illustrious career. PREDICTION: Collingwood by 29 points

2018: LADDER ROUND 20

Pos Position     P Played     Pts Points     % Percentage     W Won     L Lost
D Drawn     F Points For     A Points Against

Round 20: Sydney 73 Collingwood 71

THE FACTS

2018 AFL Round 21 COLLINGWOOD v BRISBANE Time & Place: Saturday August 11, 7:25pm EST Etihad Stadium Fox Sports 7:00pm EST Weather: Min 6 Max 13 Chance of rain 0% Wind: SW 22kph Betting: Collingwood $1.26 Brisbane $3.90

SYDNEY                3.2.20  4.4.28   9.6.60   11.7.73
COLLINGWOOD   4.1.25  7.3.45   7.6.48   10.11.71

GOALS - Collingwood: Varcoe 4, Hoskin-Elliott 2, Cox, Daicos, Sidebottom, Grundy

BEST - Collingwood: Grundy, Langdon, Adams, Crisp, Sier, Varcoe

INJURIES - Collingwood: Moore (hamstring)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 39,238 at the SCG

TALKING POINTS

1. Welcome back Alex Johnson! Is there a better story in the AFL than that of the return of Sydney’s Alex Johnson? The last time the Swans defender ran out for a senior match was on the MCG for the Grand Final in 2012 (in which Sydney beat Hawthorn by 10 points). Some 2136 days and five knee reconstructions later and Johnson made his return against the Pies in a game he’ll long remember. Playing against a giant in Mason Cox, Johnson more than held his own in defence and will take confidence from his few forays in attack. After almost six years out of the game, it was a very welcome return for one of Sydney’s fan favourites. 2. Moore pain as crippled Pies fall short Collingwood’s heart-stopping two-point loss to Sydney is just its first interstate defeat for 2018. What will hurt more though is the loss of Darcy Moore, who exited the match in the second quarter after a hamstring complaint. It was a huge blow for the Pies who have seen their tall defender stocks decimated this season through injury, and now incredibly have 17 players on their injury list. Can their depth sustain them as they make a play for the top four? 3. Buddy brilliance has Swans flying high If you needed to look for a barometer for Sydney’s success, you’d be hard-pressed to look past Lance Franklin. When Buddy is on song, so are the red and white. When Buddy goes missing, so do any chances the Swans have of making an impression or registering a victory. That’s why it was so important Buddy was back to his barnstorming best against the Pies, dragging his teammates and his team to an important and hard-fought win. Since making his debut in 2005, Franklin has kicked 910 goals, while no other player in the AFL has kicked 600 goals in this period. The Swans spearhead was involved in 13 out of 17 scores for the Swans and took six forward 50 marks, which was the same number as Collingwood. The Swans talisman helped register another famous victory for the club, one that may be very important in deciding the eight. 4. Madgen alley-oops on AFL debut Former US college basketballer Jack Madgen has certainly had a debut to remember. Collingwood’s big tall played college basketball for four years for Delta State University in Ohio and has impressed in the VFL since his move to Australia. He continued that impressive run in the first half against the Swans, and at one stage early on had a game-high five intercept possessions. But the Magpie debutant had a tough initiation late in the third term when Darcy Moore’s injury forced Madgen to cover Franklin, with Buddy giving the first gamer a lesson in a marking contest. Promising signs though from the former hoops shooter and Nathan Buckley will be glad for the experience Madgen earnt from this match. 5. Swans are back but are they a realistic finals chance? Tippet. Naismith. Mills. Hannebery. Melican. Reid. Rohan. Normally this would read as a list for Sydney’s best and fairest contenders but currently this is just some of the outs the Swans have to contend with as they try to finish their season on a high. Their victory over the Pies was a welcome return to the winners circle, and Sydney certainly is a realistic finals chance but is it a real threat? Will its long list of injuries cruel it when push comes to shove and finals footy starts in earnest? For now, its mix of young and old players have kept the Bloods in the mix for another week, as well as maintaining its record of having never lost more than five times at the SCG in a season.

THE MEDIA

SUPERFOOTY COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley hopes Jeremy Howe will be back next week to boost his side as it tries to cope with the loss of another key defender to injury. Darcy Moore suffered another hamstring injury during Saturday night’s heartbreaking two-point loss to Sydney, the Pies having the four points snatched away having stormed back to take the lead and seemed headed for a famous win. Moore, who has missed large chunks of 2018 with hamstring issues, left the ground during the second term. Buckley blamed a third-quarter lapse, in which Sydney went on a tear to snatch the lead, for his side’s demise. Moore had been minding matchwinner Lance Franklin, and while the Swans’ superstar booted three first-term goals, Buckley said losing the emerging swingman had affected the Pies. “It is always nice to have the 22 that you go in with,” the coach said after the match. “The guy that Darcy was playing on ended having 10 of the 18 shots on goal. I think that was relatively significant … we were able to cover it for the majority of the game beyond Darcy leaving the field, but once again, that third quarter sort of stands out as something that we didn’t get right.” Buckley said he was unsure of the extent of Moore’s latest blow, which he has sustained to the other hamstring having recently returning from a similar injury. Buckley said his side “did a lot well” but its inability to play four quarters cost them. “You can’t afford to do that against good opposition,” Buckley said. “Third quarter was really poor. The Swans lifted and played really good footy there. We just fell away from our contest and their defence. We weren’t able to control the game at all for 30 minutes. The other 90 minutes I reckon we did. But you have to play four quarters to win.” The Pies had a chance to consolidate their place in the top four but Swan Tom McCartin’s freakish snap while lying on the ground — only just dribbling across the goal line — means the Pies slipped to fourth and could fall further on Sunday. But Buckley said he wasn’t looking at the ladder. “We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t understand where we sat and what was happening around us, but we haven’t focused on it to this point,” Buckley said. “So we won’t be focusing on it now. We play Brisbane in seven days’ time. It is a game that we want to play four quarters of footy and get a win in. We’ll pick our best 22. We will prepare as well as we possibly can. We will want to get back on the winner’s list.” Buckley said Howe could “potentially” return after missing the Swans’ clash after suffering a concussion last week against Richmond. “We will go through the week and have a look how he is,” he said. “(We’ll) have a look where (Jordan) De Goey is at and (the) VFL play tomorrow. We’ll have (Josh) Smith, (Alex) Fasolo, (Jarryd) Blair and a handful of other boys that are ready to put their hands up.” AFL NATHAN Buckley has been left to rue a horror quarter of footy that cost Collingwood the four points after his side had the better of Sydney for most of the match at the SCG. The Magpies went missing for much of the third quarter, allowing the Swans to kick five unanswered goals – a lapse which ultimately proved decisive to the outcome. "We played three quarters and you can't afford to do that against a good opposition," Buckley said after the match. "Our third quarter was really poor and the Swans lifted and played some really good footy there but we just fell away from our contest and our defence and weren't able to control the game at all for 30 minutes. The other 90 minutes I reckon we did. But you've got to play four quarters to win." The Pies are still sitting in the top four for now and there was a lot for Buckley to like from their narrow two-point defeat. "We did enough right to deserve to win the game but we didn’t do enough to win it ultimately. There'll be some stuff we like out of that but it’s pretty hard to talk about at the moment when you haven’t bested the opposition," he said. "We thought we had an answer to (six-goal hero Lance) Franklin, we thought we had an answer to (Aliir) Aliir that we found late in the third, and the players were asked to play roles in that and did exceptionally well. We got our noses in front and when you’re playing a game like that, you can’t afford to drop off as much as we did in that third…" As for Franklin, Buckley said the Swans spearhead looked like he was moving a lot better than he was last week and that he was ultimately the difference between the two sides. "He’s a dominant player and when he’s up and about he’s pretty hard to stop. He was a thorn in our side - what did he kick, 40 points out of the 73. Ten scoring shots out of 18. So I think he was pretty important for them." The Magpies play Brisbane next week and while Buckley isn't focusing on where his team is sitting on the table, he's hoping for a return of some good fortune. "We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t understand where we sat [on the table] and what's happening around, but we haven't focused on it to this point so we won’t be focusing on it now," he said. "We play Brisbane in seven days' time and it’s a game we want to play four quarters of footy in and get a win in, so we’ll pick our best 22, prepare as best as we can and want to get back on the winners list." MEDICAL ROOM Collingwood: Darcy Moore suffered a hamstring injury and played no part in the second half. NEXT UP Collingwood heads back to Melbourne to host Brisbane at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. REAL FOOTY Lance Franklin made a mockery of the adage that you "play as you train" by putting on a clinic as Collingwood edged further towards their injury tipping point in a Saturday night thriller. The Swans marked Alex Johnson's comeback game by renewing hope in their finals campaign with a heart-stopping two-point win over the gallant Magpies at the SCG. Return of the king: Lance Franklin rallies the SCG crowd after kicking one of his half-dozen goals. Tom McCartin was the unlikely match-winner, dribbling a wormburner through with just under two minutes remaining to edge the Swans in front. Missing close to half their best team, the Pies were dealt another blow on Saturday night with Darcy Moore hurting his hamstring. Moore was the man they could least afford to lose as they had come into the game without five of their taller defenders. It proved a match-defining development as it exposed two first-year rookies to the best forward of his generation. Franklin had already kicked three of his six goals when Moore broke down but it was his third term that swung the match in their favour. Against Jack Madgen and Brody Mihocek, the superstar kicked two goals, including one after the three-quarter siren from a 50-metre penalty, was denied two more by the woodwork and set up another two for Josh Kennedy and Ben Ronke. His sixth gave the Swans a three-goal lead early in the last quarter but just as it appeared the home side would prevail, the courageous Magpies fought back. They dominated the last term, hitting the front with just over five minutes remaining after Travis Varcoe ran into an open goal. Mason Cox will be ruing two missed shots in the last quarter while Chris Mayne hit the post. Despite only 20 minutes of training this year, Franklin was the game-breaker with a million-dollar performance. "I was beaten the last two times convincingly so I had to bounce back," Franklin said. The Swans, also missing several of their first choice players, are now back in the eight and in control of their destiny, needing to win two of their last three games of the season to book an eighth straight finals series. The Pies, however, now look shaky with another casualty to their back six. The Swans can thank their defence for the season-saving win with Aliir Aliir and Dane Rampe outstanding. Johnson did not look like a man playing his first game in six years and should draw confidence from his performance. The Pies' pressure was outstanding in the first half but they could not fully cash in on the dominance of ruckman Brodie Grundy and Taylor Adams' grunt work. Varcoe's second goal was was the product of how the Magpies wanted to play. They switched the ball in their back 50, spread the Swans' team defence before bringing it inside. It was not a common occurrence due to the Swans' improved forward pressure. Franklin bagged all three of Sydney's goals in the first term but his opponent Moore also had his moments when delivery was not pinpoint. Nick Smith's comical stumble kick amid an aimless passage of play in defence was symbolic of how the Swans' game broke down in the second term against Collingwood's pressure. Twice the Pies kicked goals after applying the squeeze while Brodie Grundy helped himself to one after swatting aside Callum Sinclair from a boundary throw-in. The Swans' issue was not so much getting the ball inside 50 but the manner of their delivery. That Franklin was their only winner in attack did not help. It did not matter in the third as Franklin stamped his mark on the game. It proved a hell-raising initiation for debutant Madgen, who drew the short straw after Moore's injury.