AFL round 12: Collingwood defeats Hawthorn to reclaim top spot on ladder

Collingwood has soared back to the top of the AFL ladder after thumping Hawthorn by 51 points as Jamie Elliott strengthened his case for a maiden All-Australian blazer.

There’s a green and gold blazer barreling Billy’s way.

Collingwood small forward Jamie Elliott reduced Hawthorn to a third consecutive loss as he continued his career renaissance.

Elliott booted five goals, lifting his season tally to a Coleman Medal-leading 33, as the Magpies punished the Hawks to the tune of 51 points.

The 32-year-old was the most dangerous focal point of a Collingwood outfit which broke the Hawks’ back with six unanswered goals across the second and third quarter.

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Elliott was supported well by Brody Mihocek (four goals), Steele Sidebottom (two) and Patrick Lipinski (two).

It was Elliott’s fourth haul of five or more for the year and second in as many weeks after his match-defining handful against North Melbourne last weekend.

At Round 12, Elliott is poised to shatter his previous season best of 38 and pounce on a maiden All-Australian blazer.

He and the Magpies looked a class above Hawthorn from start to finish.

The Hawks turned the ball over at crucial times and places and were made to look slow on the spread.

That pace was apparent by a 34-year-old Sidebottom leisurely taking four bounces along the Southern wing of the MCG during the third quarter.

The challenges keep coming for Sam Mitchell’s men, with Western Bulldogs and Adelaide ahead of their Round 15 bye.

METHODICAL MAGPIES

Collingwood set up its strong win with a clinically efficient second quarter.

The Magpies booted away from Hawthorn with six goals to three, to go into the main break with a 24-point buffer.

Impressively, the Magpies had kicked 10 goals and three behinds to the main break from only 22 surges inside 50.

The Hawks at the same point in time had six goals and three behinds from 27 entries.

‘DAICS’ GETS OFF THE DUCK

The drought is finally over.

Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos has grabbed every stat across his 81 AFL games but one particular area had previously eluded him – the contested mark.

But he broke that duck on Friday night with his maiden contested grab in the first quarter on Hawk James Worpel.

Daicos had 2362 disposals, two All-Australians, a premiership, Copeland Trophy and AFLCA Player of the Year Award before he held onto a contested mark.

GLISTENING GINNI

Hawthorn livewire Jack Ginnivan lit the fuse – but no one went with him.

The Collingwood premiership player picked up where he left off against his former side with a brilliant performance.

Ginnivan had 10 touches and two goals to the first change then 17 and three at the main break.

He was clearly Hawthorn’s best and, at one point early in the first term, appeared the only Hawk capable of matching Collingwood’s relentless energy.

Ginnivan finished with a terrific 31 disposals and three goals.

Originally published as AFL round 12: Collingwood defeats Hawthorn to reclaim top spot on ladder