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.