Pies ease pressure on Buckley as strugglers see off Kangaroos

OFF the back of their worst start to a season in 16 years, Collingwood has returned to the winner’s list with a 14.10 (94) to 11.10 (76) win over fellow strugglers North Melbourne, slightly easing the pressure on coach Nathan Buckley.

The Magpies had to withstand a ferocious effort from the equally desperate Kangaroos who made the going tough for much of the game but had enough poise in key moments to get their second win of the season – ending their five-game skid.

Jordan De Goey roared back into form booting six, at the other end Darcy Moore (28 disposals, 19 marks) was back to his All-Australian best as he returned to his more comfortable role in the back six.

Jaidyn Stephenson booted two in his first game against his former club after a much-publicised exit from Collingwood in the off-season, while Aaron Hall was influential off halfback with a game-high 37 disposals. It’s now 16 straight defeats for the Kangaroos as new coach David Noble still searches for his first win in the top job.

De Goey was on fire early, kicking two of the Magpies’ opening three of the game and making the most of his firsthalf match-up on Aiden Bonar.

The Kangaroos brought the heat early, forcing John Noble into a deliberate rushed behind which saw former Magpie Stephenson boot the Roos’ first.

Collingwood began to assume control of the contest in the second term, making the Kangaroos pay on the scoreboard booting 5.4 to 1.4 – opening up a 30-point halftime lead.

After the major break, the Roos responded with four unanswered goals to cut the margin to six points early in the third term.

Again, Collingwood steadied and responded with a onetwo punch of its own – booting four of the last five as Cameron’s second helped maintain the Magpies’ five-goal barrier heading into the final quarter.

De Goey’s sixth sealed the result for the Magpies as North squandered numerous opportunities to get back into the contest (21-10 in the final term).