AFL round 22: Glenn McFarlane analyses Sydney’s stunning comeback win over Collingwood

An almighty Sydney comeback — and possible missed 50m penalty — have all but ended Collingwood’s premiership defence, leaving a frustrated Craig McRae to hit out at a freekick “circus”.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 16: Nick Daicos of the Magpies reacts on the final siren after winning the round 14 AFL match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Collingwood Magpies at Marvel Stadium, on June 16, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

A frustrated Collingwood coach Craig McRae says Dan McStay was wrongly denied a 50m penalty that could have kept the Magpies’ season alive, questioning whether the parochial SCG crowd helped sway the decision.

McRae also described the high number of deliberate out-of-bounds decisions as being “a bit of a circus” after two late free kicks went against his team in Sydney’s dramatic three-point win on Friday night.

After the Magpies coughed up the last five goals of the game, McStay took a mark inside the centre square and his Sydney opponent Tom McCartin seemingly encroached beyond the mark with 39 seconds left on the clock.

The Collingwood forward pleaded with the field umpire for a 50m penalty but it was not paid. If he had received the 50m penalty, he would have the chance to kick a match-winning goal.

EVERY PLAYER RATED: HOW WE SCORED SWANS, PIES

“I reckon if it was at the MCG, it would have been paid,” McRae said after the bitter defeat.

“There is definitely an advantage with a home ground.

“I thought it was a 50m penalty to the letter of the law. I’m sure the AFL will come out and say it was a free kick or a 50m penalty.”

Isaac Heeney willed the Swans home in the last quarter. Picture: Phil Hillyard

AFL great Leigh Matthews disputed McRae’s claims that the venue played a key role in the crucial non-decision.

“I don’t buy into what Fly said, I don’t think that it would’ve been any different had it been at the MCG or SCG,” Matthews said on 3AW.

“It would’ve been a 50 metre penalty 70 or 80 percent of the time, but umpiring is like that, it’s a grey area.

Meanwhile former North Melbourne star David King believes the umpire wasn’t courageous enough to enforce the penalty.

“The umpires didn’t have the prunes to pay the 50, it would’ve been a big call, it would’ve been a game changing call,” King said on SEN.

McRae was just as disappointed with two insufficient intent decisions paid against two of his players - Mason Cox and Darcy Moore - in the frantic final term.

“There were a lot of deliberates tonight, too … that was a bit of a circus,” McRae said. “I am sure they (the AFL) will come out and justify that too.

“Umpires don’t always get it right. That’s fair.”

should this have been a 50m penalty against McCartin? #AFLSwansPiespic.twitter.com/tWC64BTLbq

— outbreezy (@outbreezyWC) August 9, 2024

Sydney’s great escape all but ended Collingwood’s premiership defence after McRae’s Magpies coughed up the last five goals in a seismic last term for the September dreams of both teams.

In a widely fluctuating contest, the Swans somehow found a way off the canvas in an extraordinary last term to win by three points.

Their three superstars – Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden and Chad Warner – awoke from their slumber to kick the last three goals of the game.

The Magpies looked destined for a third successive victory to keep their finals hopes alive when Ned Long booted the first goal of the final stanza to put the visitors 27 points in front.

But the Swans launched into beast mode with a last quarter almost off the charts, with 11 more clearances and five more centre clearances than the Pies and a pressure rating of 202.

Heeney and Warner had 14 disposals each in the final term and both kicked crucial goals.

Gulden, quelled so effectively by Steele Sidebottom for three quarters, got off the chain late to kick the last goal of the game.

Gulden had only 14 touches for the night – his lowest return since the 2022 grand final loss to Geelong – but his goal was enough to lift his team over the line.

Isaac Heeney was truly remarkable in the final quarter!#AFLSwansPiespic.twitter.com/ov6FSB6kSz

— AFL (@AFL) August 9, 2024

It means the Swans hold on to top spot that looked in serious jeopardy earlier in the night, while the Magpies are now stuck well outside the eight on 44 points.

But whatever way you look at it, the Magpies missed a gilt-edged chance to remain in the finals race after being swamped late.

An emotional Heeney said after the game that last week’s 112-point loss to Port Adelaide had hurt the confidence of the team, but he believed this come-from-behind victory against last year’s premiers could turbo-charge the Swans towards the finals.

“We always had the belief that last week was a bit of an outlier,” Heeney said on Channel 7. “We needed to dig deep and make it a scrap and hopefully this is a good path into the last few rounds of the season.

ERROL GULDEN STEPS UP!#AFLSwansPiespic.twitter.com/Bqdmes763Y

— AFL (@AFL) August 9, 2024

“(Last week) we were writing the history books for the wrong reasons. But we had a good reset. A few of us were not up to standard (against Port Adelaide).

“It took us a while to get going tonight, but we finished strongly.”

A relieved Gulden said he had been comprehensively beaten by Sidebottom on the night, but was grateful to contribute late.

“It was a bit of a dirty night for me personally, but as long as the team wins, that’s all that matters,” Gulden said.

“He (Sidebottom) is one of the greats to play for Collingwood. He is such a smart footballer. I will obviously take a lot of learnings but it was just so important to get the win.”