2020 AFL Grand Final: Tigers 81 Cats 50

UPDATE 2020: AFL Finals Draw

UPDATE 2020: AFL Finals Draw

2020 First Semi-Final: Geelong 100 Collingwood 32

THE FACTS

GEELONG           4.4.28  9.6.60  9.8.62  15.10.100
COLLINGWOOD   1.0.6    1.0.6    1.1.7       5.2.32

GOALS - Collingwood: Mihocek 2, Elliott, Grundy, Stephenson

BEST - Collingwood: Adams, Crisp, Quaynor, Thomas 

INJURIES - Collingwood: Adams (elbow), Cox (ribs)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 21,396 at The Gabba

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2020 First Semi-Final: The Team

2020 AFL First Semi-Final COLLINGWOOD V GEELONG Time & Place: Saturday Oct 10, 7:40 PM AEDT The Gabba TV: 7mate / Fox Footy Weather: Temp: 17° - 29°  Rain: 5% <1.0mm Wind: E 25kph Betting: Collingwood $2.25 Geelong $1.65

B: Jack Crisp, Jordan Roughead, Jack Madgen

HB: Brayden Maynard, Darcy Moore, Isaac Quaynor

C: Chris Mayne, Adam Treloar, Josh Daicos

HF: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Brody Mihocek, Josh Thomas

F: Jamie Elliott, Mason Cox, Jordan De Goey

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Scott Pendlebury

Int: Jaidyn Stephenson, John Noble, Levi Greenwood, Darcy Cameron

Emerg: Will Kelly, Tyler Brown, Travis Varcoe, Mark Keane

The Age Peter Ryan Collingwood believe they are a realistic chance of winning the premiership from eighth spot with midfielder Taylor Adams saying being the underdog in each match suits the Magpies. Geelong will enter the first semi-final against the Magpies as slight favourites but another tight encounter is expected between the two teams that will play a record 25th final against each other on Saturday night at the Gabba. "We're going into a dogfight where we are again underdogs, which suits us," Adams said. He experienced pure elation when the siren sounded against West Coast last week to keep the Magpies' flag hopes alive as they continue to believe that anything is possible. "We're certainly a team who thought [before the game] we were a genuine flag contender," Adams said. It was Adams' brave decision a week ago that helped the Magpies stay in contention. With Collingwood a point up in the epic elimination final and the Eagles streaming towards goal, he changed tack. Instead of folding back in an effort to defend, he turned his tired body and rushed forward to stop the surging Eagle Tom Cole in his tracks. Adams was like a firefighter running into a burning house as everyone else took cover. The resultant turnover enabled Collingwood hang on for a memorable one-point win. "To be completely honest, it was just another piece of play that was unfolding. If it wasn't me it would have been another Collingwood player," Adams said. "That was just part of my role as a midfielder to get there and protect the corridor." Adams only realised later how momentous his act was for Collingwood supporters anxiously watching the game unfold in locked-down Melbourne. "I didn't think too much of it until I got to my phone after the game and realised there were a thousand messages," Adams said. He would have had a million texts too if his number had been publicly available given his standing among Magpie fans. Adams performs when it matters most having earned coaches' votes in five of the seven finals he has played since his first in 2018. He earned All-Australian selection this season as he became the gaffer tape that held the Magpies' midfield together, challenging the opposition to beat him every time he was in a contest. That makes him an adored Magpie who, despite his Geelong origins, looks at home in the black and white, and, at 181 centimetres, a classic Collingwood "six-footer". With a boxer's flat nose and a 1930s hairstyle he could have been a character in Frank Hardy's Power Without Glory. Instead he's a thoughtful 27-year-old with a burning desire to help the Magpies win the flag. His fixation on that goal has never wavered in 2020 as he relocated with the Magpies who, like their opponents in the semi-final, Geelong, have been one of the few teams forced to play football in five states in this remarkable season. The Magpies shared that vision when they entered the unwinnable match against West Coast with the prize on offer at the end of the month used as a lure. The Magpies spoke about that premiership goal and then zeroed in on the immediate task as they will do again against the Cats. "The motivation is [that] without winning against Geelong we are no chance of going four [wins] in a row," Adams said. Adams' expected battle with Geelong captain Joel Selwood - who had an operation on a dislocated finger last week - is likely to be a short heavyweight bout. Neither will yield as Selwood is a big-game player too but one will prevail and Adams takes confidence into the game knowing he has also delivered in finals. "I'm pretty confident with the block of work I have put in in the last two or three years," Adams said. "Finals are a different game, a more contested game with maybe a little bit more pressure in terms of heat around the ball and that might suit me, to some degree." He sees the challenge against Geelong as similar to the one they overcame against the Eagles, well aware the Cats play football that always makes them tough to beat. Adams thinks effort, clean hands, a good plan and the speed they showed moving the ball forward of centre against West Coast will give them a strong chance. Collingwood supporters know luck will be required, too, as they felt some may have fallen their way when Jack Crisp flicked (some would say threw) the ball to Scott Pendlebury after Adams' famous turnover. Adams, however, is not so sure. Never one to rely on fortune, he suspects such matters favour the brave. "I was alongside Jack. I have asked him and he said he got a hand to it so I will take his word for it that it was a handball," Adams said.

2020: AFL Finals Draw

2020 First Elimination Final: Collingwood 76 West Coast 75

THE FACTS

2020 AFL FIRST SEMI-FINAL COLLINGWOOD V GEELONG Time & Place: Saturday Oct 10, 7:40 PM AEDT Gabba TV: 7mate / Fox Footy Weather: Temp: 17° - 28°  Rain: 70% 5 - 10mm Wind: ENE 24kph Betting: Collingwood $2.08 Geelong $1.75

COLLINGWOOD   4.0.24    6.1.37  9.4.58   12.4.76
WEST COAST         1.2.8    5.4.34  7.6.48   11.9.75

GOALS - Collingwood: Cox 3, Mihocek 3, De Goey 2, Adams, Noble, Elliott, Hoskin-Elliott 

BEST - Collingwood: Adams, Treloar, Mihocek, Cox, Pendlebury, Mayne

INJURIES - Collingwood: Nil

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 32,865 at Perth Stadium

The Coach 'It was hard-earned': Buckley The Age "We set ourselves for it. We think we're able to execute what we wanted to for the most part ... we've just been scheduled for 7:40 at the Gabba, I believe, on the Saturday [against Geelong in the First Semi-Final]. We know what that looks like going forward. We can only ever take the next step, so we focused on the things we can control and, yeah, we've still got a couple more steps to take.'' Nathan Buckley

The Game Staying alive: Brilliant Pies stun Eagles by a point AFL COLLINGWOOD has stunned West Coast by one point in front of a raucous Optus Stadium crowd to end the Eagles' season. West Coast looked the likely winner of the elimination final after Oscar Allen's running snap put the Eagles ahead midway through the final term. But in a fitting end to one of the games of the year, Collingwood poured on the next three goals to take a 13-point lead with five minutes to play. Despite the Eagles' late surge to within a solitary point, the Magpies held on for a famous victory, 12.4 (76) to 11.9 (75). Collingwood will now face Geelong in a do-or-die semi-final at the Gabba next Saturday, while the Eagles' season is over.  Magpies win the unwinnable final, eliminate Eagles in an epic Fox Footy Collingwood has caused a boilover, handing West Coast its first home loss of the year and ending their rivals’ season in a stunning one-point elimination final win. The Magpies were solid underdogs against an Eagles side that was 7-0 in Perth coming into Saturday night, including a 66-point win over Collingwood, but Nathan Buckley’s side was on early. A three-goal first quarter from Mason Cox set the tone before the lead changed hands seven times - the last one when Brody Mihocek goalled to put the Magpies in front for good. Collingwood defy the odds to topple West Coast and secure a semi-finals spot NEWS.com.au The Collingwood Magpies have defied the odds to secure a gritty one-point victory over the West Coast Eagles in Saturday evening's elimination final in Perth. The Eagles had not lost any of their seven matches at Optus Stadium this season, but Collingwood were able to muster the win without stars Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe. The lead was exchanged eight times during the entertaining contest, with the Magpies narrowly ahead 12.4 (76) to 11.9 (75) when the final siren sounded at Optus Stadium. Brilliant Pies stun Eagles by a point AFL It was the smother that epitomised Collingwood's bravery. Leading by a solitary point with mere seconds left on the clock, the Magpies could feel their season slipping away on Saturday night. West Coast was surging forward in a rush of momentum that had whipped the Optus Stadium crowd into a frenzy. This would surely be it for the visitors. Eagle Tom Cole received Tim Kelly's handball, the ground opening up for him. But with the game and his team's season on the line, Magpies midfielder Taylor Adams appeared. A first-time AFL All-Australian a fortnight ago, Adams threw his body at the ball, blocking its path into the Eagles' forward 50. Just like that, the Pies' semi-final date with Geelong – and their entire season – was saved. Magpies defy the odds to edge past Eagles The Age The great recent finals rivalry between Collingwood and West Coast went to a new level at Optus Stadium on Saturday night. And somehow, Collingwood managed to hold on for an upset one-point win over the Eagles in an elimination final thriller. When Jeremy McGovern took possession deep in the Eagles' defence and pushed his side forward with 40 seconds remaining, memories of them stealing the 2018 grand final came rushing back. But two last-quarter goals from Brody Mihocek were enough to give the Pies an amazing 12.4 (76) to 11.9 (75) victory.

2020 First Elimination Final: The Team

2020 AFL First Elimination Final COLLINGWOOD V WEST COAST Time & Place: Saturday Oct 3, 8:10 PM AEST Perth Stadium TV: 7mate / Fox Footy Weather: Temp: 7° - 19°  Rain: 10% <1.0mm Wind: SW 28kph Betting: Collingwood $3.00 West Coast $1.39

B: Jack Crisp, Jordan Roughead, Jack Madgen

HB: Brayden Maynard, Darcy Moore, Isaac Quaynor

C: Chris Mayne, Adam Treloar, Josh Daicos 

HF: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Brody Mihocek, Jaidyn Stephenson

F: Jamie Elliott, Mason Cox, Jordan De Goey

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Scott Pendlebury 

Int: Levi Greenwood, John Noble, Josh Thomas, Darcy Cameron

In: Chris Mayne, Darcy Cameron

Out: Tyler Brown, Travis Varcoe (omitted)

Emerg: Tyler Brown, Callum Brown, Travis Varcoe, Mark Keane

The Age Peter Ryan Can Collingwood Find A Way To Score? The Magpies have lost the scoring power that propelled them to second and third in consecutive seasons, ranked 17th for percentage of goals once inside 50. The personnel is similar to 2018 with Mason Cox, Jordan De Goey, Jaidyn Stephenson, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Josh Thomas and Brody Mihocek inside 50, however, only De Goey has looked really threatening, with Cox improving. The rest are out of form, while Jamie Elliott has had to plug midfield holes in Steele Sidebottom's absence. The real cause of the problems, however, is the ball movement, which is both slow and unpredictable because Collingwood's midfield tends to overuse the ball around congestion and doesn't use their legs enough to create space. With centre clearances also a problem, the only run the Magpies generate comes from rebounding defenders Jack Crisp, Isaac Quaynor, Brayden Maynard and John Noble, which means the entries are too shallow. How Does Collingwood Curb Nic Nat's Influence? Having had an ordinary season by his standards after back-to-back All-Australian selections, Collingwood's Brodie Grundy faces rucking's biggest challenge when he takes on this year's All-Australlian ruckman Nic Naitanui at Optus Stadium. Add in Collingwood's poor recent form in winning centre clearances and it all points to a significant advantage for the Eagles, as the high-leaping Naitanui not only wins the ball but fights hard on the ground. Grundy has not been taking the ball out of the ruck because his ball use is ordinary but against the Eagles he might have to revert to that tactic and gain ground, however possible, to bring ground level forwards into the game. The Magpies' sweeper also becomes important at stoppages so that the Eagles can't, under any circumstance, run out of the front of a stoppage. What Weaknesses Can Collingwood Exploit? If the Eagles have a weakness it is winning ground balls in defence, which makes the job of bringing the ball to ground when opposed to the Eagles' key defenders vital. Jeremy McGovern has dominated them in the past, forcing Collingwood into a defensive posture to limit his impact. If Cox, Mihocek or even Chris Mayne can stop Tom Barrass from marking then the Magpies' small forwards, led by the powerful De Goey, are a chance of scoring. One option is to select Stephenson to play out of the square, allowing him to impact off short bursts, with his form in 2020 a reminder that few players can perform off an interrupted pre-season. Can Anyone Stop Liam Ryan? The forward has gone from strength to strength since being a vital link in the match-winning Eagles' play late in the 2018 grand final that led to Dom Sheed's goal. No one debated his All-Australian selection as he is brilliant on the ground and in the air, with ''Flyin' Ryan'' now a catchcry among AFL fans. Maynard is likely to win the unenviable job of trying to control Ryan but he will have no hope if the ball is coming in fast, as Ryan feeds off chaos, particularly at home, where the Eagles are virtually impossible to beat. Can The Travelling Magpies Beat The Homebody Eagles? The Eagles have scored 21 more points at home as opposed to away and are in the top four on many counts - scores from turnover differential, scores from clearance differential, points for and against and percentage of goals per inside 50s - when playing at Optus Stadium, while languishing in the bottom half of the competition for the same measures when interstate. They have won their past eight games at the venue and defeated the Magpies by 66 points at Optus Stadium in round eight. That shows how big the Magpies' task is as they crawl out from their sleeping bags in the Winnebagos at Joondalup to play a final. They didn't push back hard on the conditions imposed so they have to deal with their lot and hope their outstanding record on the road helps them pull off an interstate finals heist not seen since they beat Port Adelaide in the 2002 qualifying final. Scott Pendlebury, De Goey and Cox are big inclusions from that game while the Eagles are missing Elliot Yeo, which improves their chances of being competitive. The Final Word West Coast will win but the margin will be tighter than many expect with the Eagles to prevail by 18 points.

2020: LADDER ROUND 18

2020: AFL Finals

The Age - Anthony Colangelo

• Qualifying final one: Port Adelaide v Geelong
• Qualifying final two: Brisbane Lions v Richmond
• Elimination final one: West Coast v Collingwood
• Elimination final two: St Kilda v Western Bulldogs

The make-up of the final eight and the first week of the 2020 finals series has been settled after Port Adelaide beat Collingwood on Monday night.

The Power's minor premiership means they avoid Richmond in the first week of finals and instead take on Geelong in a qualifying final, who have stuttered slightly in their last two games of the season.

The Tigers and Brisbane will go head-to-head in qualifying final number two.

It is a rematch of last year's qualifying final, where Richmond beat the Lions at the Gabba.

Collingwood, given their loss to Port, will face a stint in quarantine in Perth over the next couple of weeks heading into their elimination final with West Coast.

The Eagles, because they finished fifth, are set to be awarded a proper home final by the AFL and despite having restricted travel in Perth they will be allowed to stay in their own beds and train in their home facility in Western Australia.

The Eagles expect to regain stars including Luke Shuey, Dom Sheed and Mark Hutchings for the game.

The second elimination final will be the only all-Victorian affair of the first week of finals with the Western Bulldogs taking on St Kilda, in the Saints first final since 2011.

This match may also take place in Adelaide, along with the Port and Geelong match, with the AFL weighing up that decision.

The loser of the Geelong-Port Adelaide match will take on the winner of the Eagles and Pies clash in the second week of finals. The winner of the Saints-Dogs match will then play the loser of the Tigers and Lions qualifying final.

The finals begin on Thursday, October 1.

The AFL will release times and official venues later this week.

2020 Round 18: Port Adelaide 61 Collingwood 45

THE FACTS

2020 AFL ELIMINATION FINAL COLLINGWOOD V WEST COAST Place: Perth Stadium TV: 7mate / Fox Footy Note: The finals begin on Thursday, October 1. The AFL will release details later this week.

PORT ADELAIDE  2.2.14    5.3.33   8.7.55   9.7.61
COLLINGWOOD   2.0.12    4.0.24   6.1.37   7.3.45

GOALS - Collingwood: Mihocek 2, De Goey, Elliott, Greenwood, Stephenson, Treloar

BEST - Collingwood: Adams, Pendlebury, Crisp, Daicos, Quaynor

INJURIES - Collingwood: Nil

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 5,424 at The Gabba

The Coach Eagles would be 'pretty confident' facing the Pies: Nathan Buckley The Age "It is disappointing not to get the job done. I don't think it was a lack of effort or want. We didn't do the basics well enough. We didn't test them (Port) with effective ball use often enough. ... If that's the best team (Port) in the comp - and the ladder shows that they are - we're either not far away or a long way away. It's quite marginal in the contest ... we'll get learnings out of that. ... It's a familiar refrain but we were probably too happy to look for handballs under pressure, slippery conditions. We went forwards better in periods, trusted our contest a little bit more.'' - Nathan Buckley

The Game Pies' midfield needs a quick fix AFL Collingwood has the difficult task of travelling to Perth to play West Coast in an elimination final and will need to fix two glaring weaknesses to challenge the Eagles. Firstly, their ball movement was stagnant and predictable against Port Adelaide, and secondly, they were smashed at the stoppages. Again, Brodie Grundy dominated hitouts, but Collingwood was trounced 40-28 in the clearances and an ugly 14-4 at centre clearances, giving Port field advantage they did not relinquish. Scott Pendlebury, Taylor Adams and Adam Treloar all had nice nights with big numbers, but the other players spending time on-ball need to lift. After two full games back from hand surgery, is it time to throw Jordan De Goey into the fray for five minutes a quarter to see what he can do? Port Adelaide go wire-to-wire and finish on top for first time since 2004... when they won the flag Fox Footy Port Adelaide has completed a full season on top of the AFL ladder, and won its first minor premiership in 16 years, after defeating Collingwood by 16 points in the last game of the 2020 home and away season. The Power (14-3) finally kicked away from the Magpies (9-7-1) in the third quarter, with the teams trading the lead back and forth through the first half. Ken Hinkley’s side will host Geelong in a qualifying final while Collingwood has finished eighth and will be forced on the road to face West Coast in a do-or-die elimination final. Jaidyn Stephenson ignored after goal confession against Port Adelaide NEWS.com.au Collingwood’s Jaidyn Stephenson has been ignored by on-field umpires after he appeared to confess to his goal being touched off the boot during the Magpies’ crucial clash with the Power on Monday night. Stephenson’s honest reaction to his kick around the body brushing a defender’s hand as it sailed towards the big sticks wasn’t enough to have the play reviewed as the goal umpire awarded the goal despite vocal protests from Power players. The momentum swung between the two teams throughout the contest before the Power secured the minor premiership with a hard fought 9.7 (61) to 7.3 (45) win. Full Power: Port seals minor premiership, send Pies on horror trip AFL PORT Adelaide has capped a brilliant home and away season, grinding Collingwood into the Gabba turf to win by 16 points on Monday night and secure the minor premiership. After conceding the lead in a neck-and-neck battle early in the third term, Port put the foot down with three straight goals before holding on to win 9.7 (61) to 7.3 (45). It is their first minor premiership since the club won the flag in 2004. Port's win means it will host Geelong at Adelaide Oval in a qualifying final. Collingwood now has the arduous task of travelling to Perth for an elimination final against a West Coast outfit that is unbeaten at Optus Stadium in 2020. Port Adelaide beats Collingwood by 16 points at the Gabba to secure AFL minor premiership ABC News Port Adelaide has clinched the minor premiership with a solid win over Collingwood at the Gabba in the final game of the home and away season. The Power have led the ladder for the entire season, but the pressure was on with Brisbane poised to finish top if Ken Hinkley's men slipped up. Despite being challenged hard early, Port Adelaide steadied in the third quarter to take control before running out winners by 9.7 (61) to 7.3 (45). This is the fourth time the Power have taken the minor premiership — on two of those occasions (2002 and 2004), they finished first ahead of the Lions in second.nThe last time they finished top, they went on to win the flag — against Brisbane.

AFL 2020 Round 18: The Team

2020 AFL Round 18 COLLINGWOOD V PORT ADELAIDE Time & Place: Monday Sept 21, 7:15 PM AEST The Gabba TV: 7mate / Fox Footy Weather: Temp: 18° - 29°  Rain: 5% <1.0mm Wind: NE 30kph Betting: Collingwood $2.26 Port Adelaide $1.62

B: Jack Crisp, Jordan Roughead, Jack Madgen

HB: Brayden Maynard, Darcy Moore, John Noble

C: Tyler Brown, Adam Treloar, Josh Daicos 

HF: Jamie Elliott, Brody Mihocek, Levi Greenwood

F: Josh Thomas, Mason Cox, Jordan De Goey

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Scott Pendlebury 

Int: Jaidyn Stephenson, Isaac Quaynor, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Travis Varcoe

In: Jaidyn Stephenson
Out: Callum Brown (omitted)

Emerg: Callum Brown, Ben Reid, Rupert Wills, Mark Keane

Collingwood News Collingwood has made one change for their round 18 clash against Port Adelaide at the Gabba on Monday. Forward Jaidyn Stephenson returns for his 12th appearance of the season, replacing Callum Brown who has been omitted from the Pies’ line-up. Captain Scott Pendlebury is set to play his 314th game for the club, claiming the Magpies' games record from 1990 premiership captain Tony Shaw (313). The 32-year-old will lead the team for the 162nd occasion, surpassing the club captaincy record set by Nathan Buckley with 161. Ahead of the record-breaking game, Pendlebury says his 15 seasons have flown by and has plenty more to come. "It does go really quick. I don't feel 32. I don't feel like I have played as many games as I have, you just always try to stay in the moment [and] get incrementally better,” Pendlebury said. “I am still shocked that I sit here about to play game 314 for the club. It feels like I am 150 to 200 games in and still trying for look for ways to get better. “It's been a hell of a journey, I have enjoyed every minute of it [and] I still think I have a bit left in the tank as well.” Our emergencies are Callum Brown, Ben Reid, Rupert Wills and Mark Keane.

2020: LADDER ROUND 17

2020 Round 17: Collingwood 68 Gold Coast 46

THE FACTS

2020 AFL Round 18 COLLINGWOOD V PORT ADELAIDE Time & Place: Monday Sept 21, 7:15 PM AEST The Gabba TV: Fox Footy Weather: Temp: 18° - 27°  Rain: 22% 0.0mm Wind: N 13kph Betting: Collingwood TBC Port Adelaide TBC

COLLINGWOOD   2.2.14    4.5.29   7.5.47   10.8.68
GOLD COAST       3.1.19    3.5.23   5.6.36   6.10.46

GOALS - Collingwood: De Goey 4, Cox 2, T.Brown, Crisp, Hoskin-Elliott, Mihocek

BEST - Collingwood: De Goey, Treloar, Quaynor, Crisp, Daicos, Noble, Cox

INJURIES - Collingwood: Nil

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 2,896 at The Gabba

The Coach 'When you see Jordy do his thing you understand how much we've missed': Buckley Collingwood News "I've said all along that personnel is not going to be the difference. (It's) whether we play our system, and we're not waiting for the cavalry to come back, but when you see Jordy (Jordan de Goey) do his thing you understand how much we've missed. It's good to be able to see that evidence on the football field." Nathan Buckley

The Game De Goey and Cox fire Pies into finals The Age In what should not be mistaken for a game in 2018, Jordan De Goey and Mason Cox led Collingwood to a crucial win over the Gold Coast Suns on Monday night. The win means the Pies will play finals for the third consecutive season, even if they lose next week against ladder-leaders Port Adelaide at the Gabba. Cox and De Goey were often so important and dangerous in Collingwood's run to a narrow grand final loss two years ago, but since then either one or both has mostly been injured or out of form, and therefore the Magpies' forward line has looked meek. But on Monday night they both produced moments of brilliance and genuine match-winning plays, particularly so De Goey, to drive the Pies over the line against the dogged Suns. LOCKED IN! Returning star Jordan De Goey and Mr September Mason Cox power Pies into finals Fox Footy Collingwood has locked in a third consecutive finals appearance thanks to a stellar comeback from forward Jordan De Goey, defeating Gold Coast by 22 points at the Gabba.  The Magpies (9-6-1), needing one win in the final two rounds to guarantee themselves a spot in the top eight, were behind early when Suns (5-10-1) forward Alex Sexton kicked three goals in the first 15 minutes of the match. Stuart Dew’s side probably should have held a lead from there but butchered chances throughout the game. Two late Mason Cox majors, one of them including just his fourth running bounce as an AFL player, proved the difference while De Goey finished with four goals. AFL goes wild for Collingwood Magpies forward Mason Cox’s rare feat NEWS.com.au Collingwood Magpies forward Mason Cox has sent AFL fans into a frenzy with a stunning goal during Monday evening’s victory over the Gold Coast Suns at the Gabba. After snaring their ninth win of the 2020 season, the Magpies have officially secured a spot in the finals. Jordan De Goey scored four goals on his return from injury, but everyone was talking about Cox’s stellar feat in the fourth quarter. Collingwood were ahead by just three points when midfielder Callum Brown booted the footy towards Cox near the 50m line. The 29-year-old claimed the contested mark, but instead of preparing for the free kick, Cox caught everyone off guard by sprinting towards the posts. The American giant then pulled off a rare running bounce before punting the Sherrin through the centre posts for his second major of the day. 'You understand how much we've missed': Bucks on the De Goey difference AFL Collingwood has locked in a third consecutive finals appearance thanks to a stellar comeback from forward Jordan De Goey, defeating Gold Coast by 22 points at the Gabba.  The Magpies (9-6-1), needing one win in the final two rounds to guarantee themselves a spot in the top eight, were behind early when Suns (5-10-1) forward Alex Sexton kicked three goals in the first 15 minutes of the match. Stuart Dew’s side probably should have held a lead from there but butchered chances throughout the game. Two late Mason Cox majors, one of them including just his fourth running bounce as an AFL player, proved the difference while De Goey finished with four goals. Collingwood locks in AFL finals spot by beating Gold Coast by 22 points at Gabba ABC News Jordan De Goey has returned in style as Collingwood survived some nervous moments to beat Gold Coast by 22 points and book an AFL finals berth. De Goey kicked four goals and set up another, while fellow returnee Adam Treloar finished with a game-high 26 disposals as the Magpies overcame the fast-starting Suns in a 10.8 (68) to 6.10 (46) Gabba win. Ball-magnet Treloar had not played since round 10 because of a hamstring strain, while De Goey's scent for goal was crucial in his first game back from hand surgery in late July. Collingwood needed to win to avoid a likely must-win clash with ladder leaders Port Adelaide in the final round to make the eight.

AFL 2020 Round 17: The Team

2020 AFL Round 17 COLLINGWOOD V GOLD COAST Time & Place: Monday Sept 14, 7:10 PM AEST The Gabba TV: Fox Footy Weather: Temp: 13°-26° Rain: 5% <1.0mm Wind: ENE 23kph Betting: Collingwood $1.31 Gold Coast $3.50

B: Jack Crisp, Jordan Roughead, Jack Madgen

HB: Brayden Maynard, Darcy Moore, Isaac Quaynor

C: Tyler Brown, Adam Treloar, Josh Daicos

HF: Jamie Elliott, Brody Mihocek, Will Hoskin-Elliott

F: Josh Thomas, Mason Cox, Jordan De Goey

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Scott Pendlebury 

Int: Callum Brown, John Noble, Levi Greenwood, Travis Varcoe

In: Jordan De Goey, Adam Treloar, Travis Varcoe
Out: Tom Phillips (hamstring), Jaidyn Stephenson, Max Lynch (omitted)

Emerg: Jaidyn Stephenson, Ben Reid, Rupert Wills, Mark Keane

Collingwood News Collingwood has made three changes for Monday's clash with Gold Coast at the Gabba. Jordan De Goey and Adam Treloar make their highly anticipated return to the Magpies’ line-up. De Goey has not played since injuring his finger in round seven where he kicked five goals against Geelong, while Treloar comes in for his seventh appearance of the season after recovering from a hamstring complaint. Wingman Tom Phillips has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, which opens the door for veteran Travis Varcoe to take his place against the Suns. Captain Scott Pendlebury is set to equal the clubs games record (313) with Tony Shaw and most games captained with Nathan Buckley (161). Milestone men Jack Crisp and Josh Thomas will play their 150th and 100th games, respectively, with the senior coach applauding Thomas’ AFL journey during the team meeting on Sunday. “From being pick 75 in the 2009 draft, to having two years out of the game, which taught you a fair bit about it. Now, you're showing career-best form for us," Buckley said. “It’s an amazing example of resilience. You stuck with it. I’m rapt for you, mate.” Jaidyn Stephenson and Max Lynch have been omitted from Monday’s game.

2020: LADDER ROUND 15

2020 Round 15: Brisbane 42 Collingwood 34

THE FACTS

2020 AFL Round 16  BYE 2020 AFL Round 17 COLLINGWOOD V GOLD COAST Time & Place: Monday Sept 14, 7:10 PM AEST The Gabba TV: Fox Footy Weather: Temp: 17° Rain: 3% 0.0mm Wind: SE 6kph Betting: Collingwood TBC Gold Coast TBC

BRISBANE            0.2.2    5.3.33   6.5.41   6.6.42
COLLINGWOOD   1.1.7    2.3.15   3.3.21   5.4.34

GOALS - Collingwood: Cox 2, Brown, Elliott, Mihocek

BEST - Collingwood: Pendlebury, Noble, Maynard, Crisp, Adams, Daicos

INJURIES - Collingwood: Phillips (hamstring)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 15,036 at The Gabba

The Coach A night of frustration for the Magpies Collingwood News "You've got to find a way and Brisbane were able to find a way tonight, and I thought we helped them. We've got some great belief in how we go about it, but we didn't do the basics right. The execution was a fair way off, but the endeavour was there. We think we've got a bit more to say about it and can do a lot better.” - Nathan Buckley

The Game Brisbane Lions topple Magpies to keep Gabba grand final dreams alive The Age The Brisbane Lions tightened their grip on a top-four spot with a desperate eight-point win over Collingwood at this year's grand final venue, however the victory came at a cost with All-Australian defender Harris Andrews suffering a hamstring injury. The Lions poured on the pressure in the second quarter, kicking the ball long and deep into their forward line and the Magpies wilted, conceding six of the eight goals kicked in the second and third quarters to keep them in a fierce battle for a spot in the top eight. ... Scott Pendlebury was his reliable best for Collingwood but off a shorter break than their opponents Taylor Adams and Brodie Grundy were not able to provide the Magpies with the same spark as they had against Carlton. Oscar McInerney beat Grundy to demonstrate how much he has improved this season, while Lions skipper Dayne Zorko broke the game open at times with his speed. Jamie Elliott tried to do the same for the Magpies but his field kicking let him down at times, while Jaidyn Stephenson would have struggled to run through a banner as he searches for form. Up forward the Magpies had long legs but no run in them and when Brody Mihocek dropped a sitter in the goal square when Collingwood needed a goal early in the last quarter it was clear the Lions were going to win. Only later did it become clear how crucial a spill it had been. Two of AFL’s hard nuts go head-to-head as ‘cheap shot’ ignites brawl between Pies and Lions Fox Footy An off-the-ball hit from Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard on Brisbane’s Mitch Robinson has launched tensions sky-high between both sides in a hotly contested Gabba clash. After a goal to Hugh McCluggage late in the third term, Maynard came charging in towards Robinson, who was celebrating with McCluggage, before barrelling into him and dropping him to the ground. Brisbane Lions players swarmed onto Maynard and wrestled him to the ground as Robinson got to his feet, stunned that umpire Dean Margetts didn’t pay a free kick. Maynard, usually known for his attack at the ball, left Garry Lyon disappointed with the “cheap shot” on Robinson. “It was a cheap shot from Maynard. He’s better than that, Maynard,” Lyon told AFL Nation. “Either Robinson is going to get a fine for staging or it should have been a free kick against Maynard.” AFL 2020: Mitch Robinson unprotected after Brayden Maynard melee NEWS.com.au Footy commentators have been left baffled by the bizarre moment Lions pest Mitch Robinson went unprotected by the umpires in a wild melee during Brisbane’s big win over Collingwood at the Gabba on Friday night. Robinson was shoved to the ground by Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard right in front of the umpires causing Lions players to come from everywhere to pull the Magpies star into line. Maynard at one point was left squaring off with a handful of Lions stars before his teammates could come to his aid in a heated moment that threatened to boil over.Replays showed Robinson started the incident when he ran up into the face of Maynard to give him a serve after Hugh McCluggage booted the Lions to a 20-point lead before half time. Limping Lions eye top-two spot after defying hard-charging Pies AFL All season Collingwood has struggled to find a combination that works in its forward 50 and tonight was no different. Aside from a towering pack mark early by Brody Mihocek and an excellent second quarter mark-and-goal by Mason Cox, the talls rarely threatened to takeover. The Magpies generated 41 inside 50s to Brisbane's 33 but registered just nine scoring shots. Fullback Darcy Moore was thrown forward in the final quarter to try and generate some potency against the Lions' undersized defence. Mihocek's simple uncontested dropped mark in the goalsquare in the last term summed up his team's struggles.  Brisbane Lions post eight-point AFL win over Collingwood ABC News The Magpies stay in sixth position on the ladder with 34 points. ... The Lions were able to hang on ... after their 26-point lead in the third term whittled down as the Magpies kicked the last three goals of the match. The Magpies edged the Lions in inside 50s (41-33) and contested possessions (135-113), with the home side's five-goal burst in the second term proving the difference. Collingwood's Ed Phillips (hamstring) joined a casualty list.

AFL 2020 Round 15: The Team

2020 AFL Round 15 COLLINGWOOD v BRISBANE Time & Place: Friday Sept 4, 7:50 PM AEST The Gabba TV: 7mate / Fox Footy Weather: 14°- 25° Rain: 5% <1.0mm Wind: NE 26kph Betting: Collingwood $2.60 Brisbane $1.50

B: Jack Crisp, Jordan Roughead, Jack Madgen

HB: Brayden Maynard, Darcy Moore, John Noble

C: Tyler Brown, Jamie Elliott, Josh Daicos

HF: Tom Phillips, Mason Cox, Will Hoskin-Elliott

F: Josh Thomas, Jaidyn Stephenson, Brody Mihocek

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Scott Pendlebury

Int: Max Lynch, Isaac Quaynor, Levi Greenwood, Callum Brown

Emerg: Darcy Cameron, Rupert Wills, Nathan Murphy, Travis Varcoe

In: Levi Greenwood, Max Lynch
Out: Darcy Cameron (omitted), Chris Mayne (cheekbone)

New: Max Lynch

Collingwood News Collingwood will blood its sixth debutant of the season, with Max Lynch receiving the call-up for round 15 against Brisbane on Friday night. The 200cm ruckman has been knocking on the selection door for many months with strong performances in the reserves, senior coach Nathan Buckley made the announcement on Thursday morning. “You’ve earned this opportunity, mate. You’re more than ready for it,” Buckley said. “It’s a big game for us and we know you’re going to come in and give us your strengths and attributes and your energy.” The 21-year-old was recruited from the Murray Bushrangers with pick No. 51 in the 2016 rookie draft and he couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity. “I’m super stoked. A lot of work has gone into getting to this point and I can’t wait to get out there with the boys,” Lynch said on Thursday. Midfielder Levi Greenwood returns to the Magpies' line-up after being managed through round 14. Chris Mayne will miss the clash after the nasty concussion and facial fractures sustained against Carlton, while Darcy Cameron has been omitted from the side. Our emergencies are Darcy Cameron, Rupert Wills, Nathan Murphy and Travis Varcoe.

2020: LADDER ROUND 14

2020 Round 14: Collingwood 72 Carlton 48

THE FACTS

2020 AFL Round 15 COLLINGWOOD v BRISBANE Time & Place: Friday Sept 4, 7:50 PM AEST The Gabba TV: 7mate / Fox Footy Weather: 13°- 27° Rain: 20% <1.0mm Wind: NE 24kph Betting: Collingwood TBC Brisbane TBC

COLLINGWOOD   2.2.14   5.6.36   6.8.44   10.12.72
CARLTON              2.0.12   7.2.44   7.4.46       7.6.48

GOALS - Collingwood: Stephenson 2, Thomas 2, Mihocek 2, Cox 2, Phillips, Daicos

BEST - Collingwood: Elliott, Adams, Daicos, Crisp, Maynard, Moore

INJURIES - Collingwood: Mayne (concussion)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 9,033 at The Gabba

The Coach Magpies move closer to playing finals following frenetic win over Blues Daily Telegraph “We were really looking forward to the contest and there’s obviously a bit of spark that it’s a Carlton-Collingwood game. I was hearing from mates of mine I didn’t even know barracked for Carlton over the last couple of days and they were looking forward to the game and thought they were going to go well. I’ll be getting back to them in the next 24 hours. That was the strongest performance we’ve put together over the last five or six weeks and we want to see that continue. ... We’ve always had that confidence in the way we played. We’ve had to really grind out the last five or six weeks and I think most sides sort of feel like they’re in that position. Pretty footy will get you so far, but really it’s that consistency of being able to stay in shape and win contested ball and defend well that’s going to keep you in games. There’s been a fair bit of scrutiny on the way we’ve gone about the last five or six weeks and outside of the West Coast and Melbourne games we’ve been fairly competitive. We’ve used 39 players so we’ve gone to the depth of our squad.” - Nathan Buckley

The Game Pies beat the Blues to pull ahead in finals race The Age A rivalry, old, with a venue, new. And Carlton’s finals hopes are on borrowed time after Collingwood finished over the top of the Blues. That was the story from the Gabba on Sunday as the Magpies delivered a hammer blow to Carlton’s finals dream with an enthralling 24-point victory over the Blues. Collingwood kept Carlton goal-less in the second half to firmly reinforce their place in the top eight and give senior coach Nathan Buckley extra reason to celebrate his 200th game in charge of the Pies. The Magpies also drew level with Carlton with 127 wins apiece in the storied rivalry – the first time they have been equal with the Blues since 1982 and their 11th win over Carlton in the last 13 meetings between the clubs. Collingwood hit the front early in the fourth term after a rushed behind and after being shaky in front of goal, Jaidyn Stephenson dribbled through a vital goal before Josh Daicos, Brody Mihocek and Mason Cox iced the four points for the fast-finishing Pies. In amongst the goal avalanche, Chris Mayne suffered a heavy knock from Carlton captain Patrick Cripps and was taken from the field in the hands of medical staff. Collingwood just produced its most stirring win of 2020 Fox Footy No Adam Treloar, No Steele Sidebottom, No Jordan De Goey, no Jeremy Howe — no worries for Collingwood, which produced one of its most stirring and important wins of 2020 so far. One of the biggest games between traditional rivals Carlton and Collingwood in years lived up to all expectations — but only the Magpies, ultimately, stamped their finals authority. After an arm-wrestle of a first half, the Magpies kicked five goals in the second half and kept the Blues goalless to run out 24-point winners, 10.12 (72) to 7.6 (48). It was Collingwood’s highest score since Round 3. The win saw the Pies leapfrog St Kilda into sixth spot on the AFL ladder. ... Collingwood’s forward line finally clicked, with Jaidyn Stephenson, Josh Thomas, Mason Cox and Brody Mihocek all kicking two goals each.Taylor Adams was inspirational for the Pies, with 16 of his 23 disposals coming during the Magpies’ second-half surge. Adams also had 17 contested possessions, seven clearances and six score involvements. Collingwood defeats Carlton in a thriller NEWS.com.au Carlton has been left staring into the abyss after a second half shut out against the Magpies left their finals campaign hanging by a thread. The Pies came back from nine-points down in the third quarter to secure a 10.12 (72) to 7.6 (48) victory that sees them jump up to sixth on the AFL ladder. The Pies had no Steele Sidebottom, Adam Treloar, Jordan De Goey or Jeremy Howe — but they had no worries in a second half blitz where they kept the Blues goalless. The Blues didn’t kick a goal after Jack Newnes kicked the last goal of the first half at the 26-minute mark of the second term. Collingwood kicked five goals to none in the second half and should have had more if not for some wayward kicking in front of the big sticks. The result may be the end of the Blues’ season — adding a cherry on top of the win for the Magpies, who also levelled the record in the AFL’s oldest rivalry at 127 wins each. Undermanned Pies put dagger in Blues' finals hopes AFL COLLINGWOOD keeps holding the challengers at bay. A campaign that looked to be losing its lustre a fortnight ago has suddenly been steadied with back-to-back wins, with a 24-point victory over Carlton on Sunday satisfying for a number of reasons. The side's brave 10.12 (72) to 7.6 (48) win at the Gabba was a backs-to-the-wall performance full of heart.  Without a number of key players, the Pies rose to the sizeable task laid down by the Blues. But while the manner of the victory was certainly the most pleasing aspect of a result that will take the Pies one step closer to sealing a top-eight berth, putting a dagger in the finals hopes of their arch rivals was undoubtedly just as sweet. Collingwood beats Carlton by 24 points in Brisbane to boost AFL finals chances ABC News Collingwood has staved off rivals Carlton in a boost for its finals aspirations, winning by 24 points at the Gabba. The 10.12 (72) to 7.6 (48) victory on Sunday came after the Magpies trailed by two points at the final change. It keeps them entrenched in the top eight in sixth position while ensuring the resurgent Blues remain on the outer in 12th place. The goal-kicking duties were shared around by the Magpies, with Mason Cox, Brody Mihocek, Jaidyn Stephenson and Josh Thomas kicking two goals each.

AFL 2020 Round 14: The Team

2020 AFL Round 14 COLLINGWOOD v CARLTON Time & Place: Sunday August 30, 3:35 PM AEST The Gabba TV: Fox Footy Weather: 13°- 22° Rain: 30% <1.0mm Wind: E 18kph Betting: Collingwood $1.80 Carlton $2.00

B: Jack Crisp, Jordan Roughead, Jack Madgen

HB: Brayden Maynard, Darcy Moore, John Noble

C: Chris Mayne, Tyler Brown, Josh Daicos 

HF: Brody Mihocek, Darcy Cameron, Will Hoskin-Elliott

F: Josh Thomas, Mason Cox, Jamie Elliott

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Scott Pendlebury

Int: Tom Phillips, Callum Brown, Jaidyn Stephenson, Isaac Quaynor

In: Callum Brown, Tyler Brown, Brody Mihocek, Jaidyn Stephenson, Isaac Quaynor
Out: Flynn Appleby (hamstring), Levi Greenwood (managed), Trey Ruscoe (omitted) Steele Sidebottom (personal), Travis Varcoe (omitted)

Emerg: Trey Ruscoe, Rupert Wills, Tim Broomhead, Travis Varcoe

Collingwood News Collingwood has made five changes for their round 14 clash against Carlton at the Gabba on Sunday. The Pies’ leading goalkicker Brody Mihocek returns to take on the Blues after missing round 13 with concussion. Lively forward Jaidyn Stephenson comes back into the line-up, while defender Isaac Quaynor has recovered from a nasty leg gash from round 12. Callum and Tyler Brown have been recalled on the back of successful performances in the reserves against Brisbane. Levi Greenwood has been managed after playing his first senior game in 11 months, while Flynn Appleby will miss with hamstring tightness. Vice-captain Steele Sidebottom has returned to Melbourne to be with his partner Alisha ahead of the birth of their first child. Travis Varcoe and Trey Ruscoe have been omitted from Sunday’s match.

2020: LADDER ROUND 13

2020 Round 13: Collingwood 65 North Melbourne 35

THE FACTS

2020 AFL Round 14 COLLINGWOOD v CARLTON Time & Place: Sunday August 30, 3:35 PM AEST The Gabba TV: Fox Footy Weather: 14°- 24° Rain: 0.0mm Wind: NE 9kph Betting: Collingwood $1.68 Carlton $2.15

COLLINGWOOD             1.2.8   4.3.27   8.3.51   10.5.65
NORTH MELBOURNE    2.1.13   3.4.22   5.5.35    5.5.35

GOALS - Collingwood: Ruscoe 2, Thomas, Daicos, Cox, Appleby, Adams, Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Hoskin-Elliott

BEST - Collingwood: Pendlebury, Adams, Maynard, Moore, Sidebottom, Mayne, Daicos

INJURIES - Collingwood: Nil

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 2,443 at The Gabba

The Coach Steele leaves on a high as Pies vow to 'share the load' Collingwood News "He'll (vice-captain Steele Sidebottom) get himself back. He's 95 per cent pumped to get back and be with his partner (who is giving birth) and to go through the next couple of weeks. He's five per cent bummed that he's missing what is the next couple of weeks of our campaign. We believe we've been a club that shares the load and steps up to cover for each other as much as we possibly can. We still believe that it's our way forward. It's not about who, it's about how. We need to improve our how. We saw elements of it tonight and we want to continue that. But we've got stiff opposition to come in Carlton in six days' time. We're looking forward to that challenge. That will be without Steele, but we'll have 22 fit blokes ready to go. Hopefully, Steele can find his way back and return for the tail-end of the campaign." - Nathan Buckley

The Game Pies do enough to shrug off Roos The Age Collingwood won't win the premiership playing football as they did on Monday night but by beating North Melbourne they at least enhanced their chances of buying enough time to regain the kind of form that briefly made them flag favourites this year. In a performance that could kindly be described as gritty, Nathan Buckley's side made heavy work of the 17th-placed Kangaroos, trailing early in the third quarter at the Gabba following a Jy Simpkin major. To that point, the Pies had been outgunned in the middle and overly cautious with the ball, repeatedly retreating and giving North the scent of an upset victory. But for all their foibles, Collingwood still had North's measure. Repelled time and time again by the human sponge that is Darcy Moore, the Kangaroos were let down by their sloppy skills which ultimately handed the Pies victory on a silver platter.  Magpies hardly convincing but do enough against North to hold onto top eight spot — for now Fox Footy Collingwood did just enough to keep its spot in the top eight but copped a major scare from North Melbourne at the Gabba, winning by 30 points. The Magpies (7-5-1) looked terrible in the first quarter and a half, turning the ball over constantly and having no rhythm as the lowly Kangaroos (3-10) took a surprising lead. But normality was restored in the second half as the Roos continued to make mistakes and Nathan Buckley’s side capitalised, with Taylor Adams’ excellent season continuing as one of their best. There were no late changes to either side. It was a low-quality start from both teams with frequent missed passes and turnovers, despite perfect conditions at the Gabba, and a miskick deep in defence handed Trent Dumont a set shot and the opening goal for North Melbourne. The Magpies’ major issues connecting to their forward line showed up early. It took until their eighth inside 50 to record a scoring shot – a long-distance behind. The run home: Who'll be in the eight when it matters? The Roar - Stirling Coates 7th – Collingwood 7-5-1, 109.1% Remaining fixture: Blues (Gabba), Lions (Gabba), Suns (Gabba), Power (TBA) Did themselves an almighty favour last night in downing the Roos and now control their own destiny. The ladder says they have a six-point lead on the chasing pack but, having played 13 games to Melbourne, Carlton and GWS’ 12, it’s really only two – and their run home is tough. That makes their next clash against the Blues the most important match in this rivalry since Carlton killed off Collingwood’s top four chances in 1994. On current form, I can’t back the Pies against Brisbane or Port so, if they fall to the Blues, even going 1-3 with a win against the Suns would leave them at 8-8-1 – highly unlikely to make the eight. Knocking off Carlton puts their arch-rivals well behind the eight ball and, even if they lose to the Lions and Power, gives them enough on the board to see off the others. If they lose? Game on. Collingwood keeps finals hopes alive with win over North Melbourne Daily Telegraph Collingwood has some breathing space within the top eight after a scrappy 30 point win over a determined but at times wayward North Melbourne at the Gabba on Monday night. The game never reached any great heights as a spectacle with only seven goals scored in the first half with both sides constantly turning the ball over. If anything Kangaroos looked a little more poised in the first term but as the game wore on, Collingwood’s experience, led by it’s midfield general Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury, shifted momentum their way. A four-goal-to-two third term set Collingwood up with 16 point lead at the last change, the biggest of the match at that stage, and on the way to a much needed win following a heavy loss to Melbourne last week. It took some Pendlebury brilliance for Collingwood to break the deadlock with a passage of play in the third quarter that allowed the Pies to regain lead and never look back. Pies ease past Kangas to keep finals hopes intact AFL YOU CAN always bank on Scott Pendlebury. With his Collingwood side struggling to click into gear against an equally wayward North Melbourne on Monday night, the club's talismanic skipper sensed the moment and decided to do it himself. Through sheer force of will, and through his trademark class on the many occasions where he found the footy, Pendlebury spearheaded a second-half surge that inspired a hard-earned 30-point Magpies victory. Pendlebury had 11 disposals and a goal in the third quarter alone, steadying the ship with his composure at the contest as Collingwood wriggled clear of a gallant North Melbourne to win 10. 5 (65) to 5. 5 (35). He finished with 28 touches for the night, duly supported by Taylor Adams (31 disposals, one goal) and Steele Sidebottom (23 disposals, one goal) in a Magpies midfield that eventually bested their younger Kangaroos counterparts. While the victory was by no means convincing, it was important.  The result lifts Collingwood to seventh on the ladder with just four matches remaining in its season, creating a valuable two-game buffer between itself and the ninth-placed Melbourne. Collingwood consolidates a spot in the top eight with 30-point win over North Melbourne at the Gabba ABC News Collingwood gave their AFL finals hopes a significant boost with a hard-fought 30-point victory over North Melbourne. Neither of the injury-hit sides produced anything like their best football in an untidy contest at the Gabba. But the Magpies' superior work around the contest in the second half saw them pull away to secure a vital 10.5 (65) to 5.5 (35) win on Monday night. It moved them into seventh spot on the ladder, six points clear of Carlton, GWS and Melbourne — the nearest sides outside the top eight — who all have a game in hand. They meet the Blues in a huge clash at the Gabba on Sunday.