Geelong’s win locks Pies into a GF repeat
IN their first visit to the MCG since their AFL grand final heartbreak, Collingwood have suffered more pain, Geelong winning a seven-point thriller.
Tom Hawkins booted his 500th career goal with just over five minutes left in the tense contest to put the Cats in front, Chris Scott’s side holding on for 10.12 (72) to 9.11 (65) win in front of 78,017 fans.
The Pies kept coming but their challenge was effectively over when Jeremy Howe turned the ball over to Patrick Dangerfield inside Geelong’s attacking 50 with just over a minute remaining.
It was a fitting end for a tense, if at times scrappy, affair in which the margin was never more than 11 points.
In his first game back with the Magpies after a four-season stint with Brisbane, Dayne Beams levelled the scores in a frantic final term with his fine goal in traffic.
Callum Brown put Collingwood in front with a superb snapped effort, but in a goal that appeared to have a bit to do with the league’s new 6-6-6 rule, Brandan Parfitt goaled soon after the restart to set up Hawkins’ dramatic winner.
Tim Kelly was brilliant for the Cats with 31 possessions and nine clearances, with Dangerfield (27 disposals) and Tom Stewart (26) also important.
Gary Ablett was no less influential spending more time forward, booting two goals.