Collingwood came crashing back to earth after copping a final-quarter thumping in their 62-point loss to West Coast in Sunday’s AFL clash at Domain Stadium.
Just six days after thrashing Essendon by 69 points, Collingwood were given a brutal dose of reality in a 18.16 (124) to 9.8 (62) loss in Perth.
The Magpies trailed by just 10 points late in the third quarter, but the Eagles booted the next nine goals to secure the big win.
Goalsneak Jamie Cripps kicked three goals in the onslaught, with the first of those sparking West Coast’s run.
With the game in the balance, a slip from Collingwood’s Josh Smith just as he was about to receive a handball proved costly.
Cripps swooped on the loose ball, sprinted 40m before nailing the 40m running goal.
Collingwood folded from that point in, with their only goal for the quarter coming in the dying seconds.
West Coast had plenty of winners against the Magpies.
Spearhead Josh Kennedy was a colossus in attack with eight marks, but his waywardness in front of goal (3.6) let the Magpies off the hook early.
Mark LeCras finished with three goals from 27 disposals, while Nic Naitanui played an influential role in the ruck.
Collingwood’s American recruit Mason Cox finished with two goals from 10 disposals in another encouraging performance.
But with West Coast winning the inside 50m count 60-33, there was only going to be one winner.
The Eagles suffered a blow before the match when star midfielder Elliot Yeo withdrew because of tonsillitis, but his absence was barely felt early.
West Coast won the inside 50m count 20-4 in the first term to open up a 33-point lead, with Naitanui’s dominance in the ruck proving crucial to the early onslaught.
And even the footy gods were on West Coast’s side, with a 60m snap from LeCras rolling through after the ball beat Collingwood defender Nathan Brown to the goalline.
LeCras produced another piece of magic when he nailed a dribbling goal from the pocket – with Kennedy also deserving much kudos after his brilliant harassing work forced a turnover.
And when LeCras nailed his third goal early in the second quarter, the scoreline read 53-14 and a blowout loomed.
Collingwood finally worked their way into the contest, but they were no match for West Coast in a one-sided final term.
