Collingwood survives huge scare with late goal against Brisbane

A GOAL in the last minute lifted Collingwood to a thrilling seven-point win over winless Brisbane in a tough slog at the Gabba, but it may have come at a cost.

Collingwood forward Darcy Moore flies for a mark. Picture: Getty Images

A GOAL in the last minute helped Collingwood to a thrilling seven-point win over Brisbane at the Gabba.

The winless Lions were in the contest for the entire match, but the Magpies proved too strong to win a highly accurate encounter — 19.7 (121) to 18.6 (114).

Jaidyn Stephenson was the hero, kicking a goal with 43 seconds left on the clock to seal the win after being set up with a clever handball by the impressive Jordan De Goey.

De Goey was the matchwinner with a career-best five goals, including a crucial major deep in the last quarter when the Lions were making their charge.

“It was really good (to win) especially after the loss last week, just to come back and fight it out for the four quarters,” De Goey told Fox Footy.

“It wasn’t the way we wanted to go about it, but in the end we got the job done.

“I was a bit nervous towards the end there ... I was happy to get on the end of a couple.

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Jaidyn Stephenson celebrates the matchwinning goal. Picture: AAP

“We’ve got a pretty good midfield at the moment so I’ll bide my time up forward and try to kick a couple.

“I was pretty happy with that game, obviously. I just want to work on my defensive aspects, but overall I was happy with it.”

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The Pies were playing their third game in 11 days, but their fourth win kept them knocking on the door of the eight — missing out on overtaking Sydney by 0.2 per cent.

However, the win may have come at a cost with Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury succumbing to a left ankle injury.

Dayne Zorko almost willed the Lions over the line with 34 touches, 10 tackles and four goals in what was a welcome return to form.

Jordan De Goey stretches for a mark which led to his fifth goal. Picture: AAP

Zorko said the loss was deflating, but described the performance as the Lions’ best of the season.

“We kicked straight for the first time this year and put ourselves in the game,” Zorko said.

“I thought we had them to be honest so it’s really demoralising.

“Once again we get within a kick and tonight was seven points, but we were right in it against some really good opposition.

“That’s one thing we really stressed this week, we wanted a four-quarter effort.

“We really wanted to crack in and create as much pressure and really show that consistent effort over four quarters and I thought we did that.

“Credit to Collingwood, they were a touch stronger than us on the night, but our boys can hold their heads up high.”

A distraught Eric Hipwood after the siren. Picture: Getty Images

The 21,850 people at the Gabba were treated to a pulsating contest as the visitors repeatedly kicked ahead but the Lions kept pulling themselves back into the game.

The Lions kicked four goals in a row to take the lead for the first time midway through the second quarter but three at the other end from Josh Thomas and one from Darcy Moore restored a comfortable advantage, before Dayne Zorko, Charlie Cameron and another from Taylor reduced the lead to three at the long break.

Taylor scored two more in the third but Collingwood had the last word with Stephenson marking smartly to give them an eight-point advantage going into the last.

Zorko rediscovered some form after he was granted the luxury of not being tagged, and took full advantage grabbing 34 possessions and kicking four, the last with an impudent 35-yard check-side kick.

Another goal from Daniel McStay and Beams’ major looked like setting the Lions up to break their duck before the Magpies’ late rally.

- with AAP

BRISBANE 3.0 10.0 14.2 18.6 (114)

COLLINGWOOD 4.2 10.3 15.4 19.7 (121)

GOALS

Lions: Zorko 4, Taylor 4, McStay 2, D.Beams 2, Robinson, McInerney, McLuggage, Berry, Cameron, Bailey

Magpies: De Goey 5, Thomas 3, Stephenson 2, Pendlebury, Mayne, Howe, Treloar, Moore, Phillips, Cox, Varcoe, Hoskin-Elliott

BEST

Lions: Zorko, Taylor, Rayner, Beams, Martin, Bailey

Magpies: De Goey, Phillips, Thomas, Sidebottom

INJURIES

Lions: TBC

Magpies: Pendlebury (ankle)

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