Premiership Cup heading west after nailbiting finish

THE AFL cup is going west for the first time since 2006 after the high-flying Eagles spoiled the premiership party Collingwood fans had been dreaming of, with the two teams delivering one of the greatest Grand Finals in AFL history.

Collingwood players looked defeated on the final siren as the Eagles players celebrated. Picture: David Caird

WEST Coast spoiled the premiership party Collingwood fans had dreamt of but helped deliver one of the greatest Grand Finals in AFL history.

The premiership trophy is going west for the first time since 2006 after the high-flying Eagles crushed Collingwood’s hopes in a nailbiting five-point come-from-behind triumph.

Instead of a Pies party, delighted West Coast fans were last night doing the Eagle Rock in the aisles of the MCG and streets of Melbourne to toast the club’s fourth flag.

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Norm Smith Medallist Luke Shuey thanked Eagles fans but paid special tribute to the Pies’ efforts.

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Collingwood players looked defeated on the final siren as the Eagles players celebrated. Picture: David Caird

“To the Collingwood footy club, Nathan Buckley, Scott Pendlebury, you guys are a wonderful organisation,” he said.

“Against a lot of adversity this year you made it to the big stage and you deserved the opportunity to be here.

“I’m sure you’re going to be here over the years to come.”

After rising from 13th last season to the brink of glory, Collingwood players and fans vowed to return bigger and stronger next year.

Vice-captain Taylor Adams said what many loyal fans were thinking.

“I’m proud of the club,” he said.

“We will bounce back.”

The Eagles swooped just when it looked like Collingwood had done enough to hang on for glory, dashing the Pies’ hopes of a sweet 16th flag.

In front of a crowd of 100,022, Eagle Dom Sheed became an unlikely hero for West Coast with a late goal in the final term to steal victory.

For the first time since 2012, the premiership cup will leave Victoria.

This year’s premiership cup will sit snugly in a Perth trophy cabinet alongside Eagles trophies from 2006, 1994 and 1992.

The Pies players were instantly shattered at the end of the match. Picture: AFL Media

Not since Ben Cousins and Chris Judd shared the stage on Grand Final day 12 years ago had Eagles fans enjoyed bragging rights over their Victorian rivals.

Eagles coach Adam Simpson, enjoying his first flag since he was a star North Melbourne defender in the 1990s, said the season had “been a fantastic ride against a tonne of adversity”.

“My heart goes out to Eric Mackenzie, Brad Sheppard, Nic Naitanui and Andrew Gaff,” he said.

“You are part of this group.”

The Eagles started the season overwhelming underdogs, ranked $67 outsiders but swooped when it mattered most.

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Collingwood greats were disappointed with the defeat but proud of how far the team had come.

Pies legend Peter Daicos told the Sunday Herald Sun he was “blown away’’ they had made a Grand Final and hopeful there was more to come, with son Josh possibly joining the Magpies fold.

“Clearly we are heading in the right direction and that has been shown in the results,’’ Daicos said.

“You would like to think we are going to be moving forward.’’

Scott Pendlebury looked crestfallen on the final siren. Picture: AAP

Victorian neutrals may have struggled to decide who to cheer for yesterday — the interstate raiders or the black and white brethren they love to hate.

But there was no mistaking the crowd favourites at the MCG as Magpies supporters bellowed with every Collingwood possession or “missed’’ free kick, desperate to give their team an edge.

Taking their cue from the pre-match entertainment belted out by the Black Eyed Peas, the Pies got the party started early by booting the first five goals of the contest and taking a 17 point lead to the quarter time break.

Fittingly, it was grieving Collingwood star Travis Varcoe who kicked the first goal and pointed to the heavens, in tribute to his sister Maggie who was died after a freak footy accident last month.

It would have eased the anxiety of Pies fans fearing an omen when the Collingwood banner fell over before the team had entered the field.

But the Eagles stormed back into contention with a four-goal third quarter, taking the lead for the first time and tying the score at three quarter time to set up a thrilling final term.

Devastated Magpies fans caused mayhem as they left the ground, with at least half a dozen arrested minutes after the last siren.

Several stormed out — tears streaming down their face — and kicked over bins before security gave chase.

One furious Pies smashed his iPhone on the cement.

Two Eagles supporters were arrested moments later as they goaded Collingwood fans, yelling: “Keep walking Magpies!”.

Collingwood will today hold a supporters day at its Holden Centre home base.

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