SNAPSHOT OF THE WEST COAST-COLLINGWOOD QUALIFYING FINAL.
* Result: West Coast 12.14 (86) def Collingwood 10.10 (70) at Optus Stadium.
* The lowdown: Little separated the two sides in the first half, before the Magpies threatened to break the game open in the third quarter. Brad Sheppard’s hamstring injury in the first quarter robbed West Coast of their best small defender. But Eagles forwards Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling shot to life in the second half to pull their side back into the contest before powering the team to victory.
* Key moment: Collingwood had all the momentum when Brody Mihocek unleashed a running shot on goal from 35m out late in the third quarter. A goal would have extended the margin to 15 points, but his miss ensured West Coast entered the final term well within striking distance.
* Key stats: Nothing much to separate the two sides, with the inside 50s even at 51-51, and the Magpies winning the clearance battle by just one. But the defining stat was the contested possession count in the final quarter. West Coast won that 46-32, and it resulted in a five-goals-to-one term.
* Tribunal watch: Levi Greenwood’s bump on Eagles goalsneak Willie Rioli that resulted in a head clash might be looked at, but it’s not likely to result in anything. Although the incident happened off the ball, it looked more accidental than malicious.
* Injuries: Brad Sheppard (WC, hamstring), Willie Rioli (WC, head)
*Key quote: “We won’t dwell or cry over spilt milk” – Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley wants his charges to quickly put the loss to West Coast behind them.
* What’s next?: West Coast will now enjoy a week off before hosting a preliminary final against Hawthorn or Melbourne. Collingwood will be thrust into a must-win semi-final against GWS. Collingwood will have home-ground advantage, but the Giants enter the match full of confidence following their crushing 49-point win over the Swans.
