Collingwood fought back from 13 points down at three-quarter time to score an upset win over the previously unbeaten Geelong in Saturday night’s round-eight AFL blockbuster at the MCG.
The Magpies notched their fifth victory of the season with four goals to Geelong’s one in the final term to win 15.12 (102) to 14.12 (96).
Jamie Elliott, Sam Dwyer and Andrew Krakouer kicked three goals each for the Magpies and all played a role in Collingwood’s last-quarter fightback, while midfielder Scott Pendlebury and defender Harry O’Brien was prominent.
Geelong were 26 points down at halftime but an eight-goal third term put the Cats in front for the first time in the match, leading by 13 points at three-quarter time.
Collingwood looked gone at three-quarter time but surged again and Krakouer’s third goal at the 23-minute mark gave the Magpies a match-winning advantage by seven points and they held on by a one-goal margin in front of 66,768 fans.
The Cats had been rocked by the pre-game withdrawal of triple All-Australian Steve Johnson with a calf injury.
Collingwood kicked four of the first five goals of the match and their defensive intensity was causing enormous headaches for the Cats.
Leading by 18 points at quarter-time after a five-goal burst, Collingwood booted another four goals to Geelong’s two in the second term.
After a quiet first half, Geelong skipper Joel Selwood lifted in midfield and the Cats’ eight-goal term included two each from James Podsiadly and Allen Christensen.
But the Magpies kicked clear in the final term with mature-age Dwyer gathering 13 disposals in the final term.
Geelong subbed out half-forward Billie Smedts during the second quarter with a leg injury.
Collingwood ruckman Darren Jolly was reported in the second quarter for high contact after landing a bump on Geelong’s Mathew Stokes.
Tom Hawkins booted a game-high four goals for the Cats while Mathew Stokes, Joel Corey, Corey Enright and Jimmy Bartel were good contributors.
The Magpies host Sydney at the MCG on Friday night while Geelong are away to Port Adelaide the following day.
