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Collingwood’s monumental comeback stuns Port Adelaide

Collingwood has provided a scary glimpse of its premiership best, dismantling Port Adelaide in a staggering comeback win.

Ben Waterworth, Ronny Lerner and Courtney Walsh
4 min read
April 20, 2024 - 6:04PM
Brody Mihocek (centre) celebrates with teammates John Noble and Isaac Quaynor during the Pies’ huge comeback victory. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Brody Mihocek (centre) celebrates with teammates John Noble and Isaac Quaynor during the Pies’ huge comeback victory. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Collingwood has provided a scary glimpse of its premiership best, dismantling a stunned Port Adelaide with a breathtaking post-quarter-time blitz as part of a commanding 72-point turnaround.

The Magpies looked gone for all money when the Power booted eight of the game’s first 11 goals to open up a 31-point lead in the second term.

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But just as Collingwood’s premiership defence looked like it was teetering precariously on the precipice, the Magpies channelled their 2023 selves, responding with eight goals in a row to create a dramatic momentum shift and take total control of the contest in the third term.

The Power threatened late with the first two goals of the final term, but the Pies pulled away with conviction to register a 42-point win, 17.21 (123) to 12.9 (81), in front of 65,834 fans — a record crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs.

“They’ve found their identity again, Collingwood,” Fox Footy’s Jack Riewoldt said.

“It’s all about the 2023 premiers re-establishing their brand of footy. They’ll get a lot out of today – the four points is important – but they get their groove back and send a shockwave across the rest of the competition to say: ‘Hey, we’re not gone yet.’”

Brody Mihocek (centre) celebrates with teammates John Noble and Isaac Quaynor during the Pies’ huge comeback victory. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Brody Mihocek (centre) celebrates with teammates John Noble and Isaac Quaynor during the Pies’ huge comeback victory. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Patrick Lipinski had one of his better games for the Pies, booting four goals from 18 disposals while Will Hoskin-Elliott was an unlikely firestarter for Collingwood with two majors from 21 touches. Nick Daicos, Jordan De Goey and Tom Mitchell dominated at the coalface against a helpless Power midfield.

Zak Butters had 31 touches, but 15 of them came in the first quarter. Jason Horne-Francis was arguably Port’s best four-quarter performer with 24 disposals, 13 contested possessions, six inside 50s, five clearances and a goal, but he finished the game on the bench with an injury.

The result continued the Magpies’ recovery from their shaky 0-3 start to the season and, on the back of three consecutive wins, they have set up a tantalising Anzac Day clash next week with fierce rivals Essendon, who are also in good form.

Meanwhile, early questions about Port Adelaide’s premiership legitimacy are already popping up, given their only two losses so far have come against 2023 finalists.

There were no late changes for either side, with Reef McInnes (Collingwood) and Jed McEntee (Port Adelaide) named the starting subs.

After an early arm-wrestle, the Power struck first with long-range goals to Zak Butters then Sam Powell-Pepper to give them a 12-point lead.

And a minute after Will Hoskin-Elliott kicked Collingwood’s first major, Miles Bergman pulled off a stunning running checkside goal before Ryan Burton and Mitch Georgiades added two more to make it a 25-point lead.

“Right now the number of free Port Adelaide players … would be real concern for the Magpies,” Melbourne champion Garry Lyon told Fox Footy.

“Every time there’s a loose ball, they (the Pies) are harassed.

“They are all over the shop, Collingwood.”

The Port Adelaide blitz continued as Jackson Mead snapped a classy goal to take the margin beyond five goals.

Lyon said the Magpies’ first 20 minutes was “un-Collingwood-like”.

“It’s staggering. It’s just leave your man, go to the contest and hope Collingwood find it. When they don’t, they’re getting slaughtered,” Lyon said of the Magpies’ loose checking.

Triple premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt added: “It’s inferred pressure. It’s little things like that – simple marks – that all of a sudden when you’re 30 points down and it’s Round 6 and you’ve won the premiership last year, things aren’t going your way and you make little errors like that.”

But the Pies struck back in the latter stages of the first quarter, with some quick ball movement leading to goals to Beau McCreery and Bobby Hill as they cut the lead to 17 points at the first change.

Port responded at the start of the second quarter, with Todd Marshall converting a set-shot goal from a tight angle.

Then young star midfielder Jason Horne-Francis provided a gobsmacking moment, accelerating away from a congested stoppage, steadying and kicking a brilliant running goal.

“That is scary, scary good,” Lyon said of Horne-Francis’ effort.

The Pies responded again, with a spectacular mark from Will Hoskin-Elliott leading to a set-shot goal, before Brody Mihocek flushed a long-range attempt to cut Port’s lead to just 14 points.

Mason Cox then made it three straight Collingwood goals.

“They’ll take great heart from this Collingwood. They’ve found a way to stop the bleeding and now they’re starting to throw a few counterpunches,” Lyon said.

“Can’t talk highly enough of this. Highly impressive.

“This is a staggering comeback of monumental proportions.”

Mihocek kicked his second before Patrick Lipinski crumbed to snap two superb goals that, remarkably, put Collingwood in front at halftime.

A late goal to Sam Powell-Pepper in the third term ensured the Power were within striking distance at three quarter-time, trailing by 35 points.

Horne-Francis’ dogged determination was on display early in the fourth quarter, exploding away from congestion to set up a Marshall mark and goal.

The Power began to get more territory and scoring opportunities, but missed some easy attempts — including a checkside from Willie Rioli that should’ve instead been passed to open teammate Darcy Byrne-Jones in the goalsquare.

But a 50m penalty led to another Georgiades goal that cut Collingwood’s lead to 23 points.

But the Pies steadied late — and emphatically, with Reef McInnes subbed in to have an immediate impact with a goal, before Lipinski kicked his fourth and Mihocek booted his third to cap off a statement win.

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Originally published as Collingwood’s monumental comeback stuns Port Adelaide

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