Carlton celebrate after Collingwood’s meek surrender in anniversary game

CARLTON singing in the rain after arch-rival Collingwood’s meek surrender on its biggest day of the year, its 125th anniversary.

Dale Thomas celebrates his goal in the fourth quarter. Picture: George Salpigtidis

IT rained on Collingwood’s parade - literally and figuratively.

First, the Pies’ 125th anniversary celebrations were soured by their legends having to wear ponchos for a pre-game ceremony in the drizzle.

Then Carlton systematically put them to the sword in a comprehensive 23-point victory in which they led at every change.

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If the sight of Collingwood’s premiership stars draped in wet plastic was unsightly, it was nothing compared to the Pies’ meek surrender in which they looked lost for long periods.

This was a massive loss on a massive day.

It was a day where Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert again set finals as a benchmark for the club.

Thorold Merrett among Collingwood greats in ponchos. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Scott Pendlebury leads Collingwood off the MCG.

But after slumping to 2-5 in a potentially season-destroying loss, the furnace again turns on the black and white. In wet and greasy conditions, this was a tough, tight, battle of wills as much as it was a game about skill.

The Blues got stuck in from the outset, kicking the first three goals before a run of four consecutive majors across the second and third quarters gave them a stranglehold on this game that they wouldn’t release.

Against all logic, Collingwood got handball happy. By late in first half they had just as many handballs as kicks. Does it point to no system? No confidence? Both?

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Scott Pendlebury struggled to shake the clutches of Ed Curnow, with 21 of his 29 possessions handballs.

Adam Treloar had seven kicks and 14 handballs, Taylor Adams 13 and 14, Jack Crisp seven and 12 and it goes on.

While the famed Pies engineroom ran around in circles, spare a thought for their blunt forward line, who was again made to guess and second guess at what was coming next.

Jordan De Goey shoves Dale Thomas.

Alex Fasolo struggled to shake Simon White and keeps shanking set shots, Mason Cox was quiet, Darcy Moore had six touches and his one goal came well into junk time.

Jamie Elliott is still finding his feet, but was his side’s chief threat with three goals from 14 possessions. The Pies having six more clearances and four more inside 50s.

But their indecision and lack of direction gave Carlton time to do what they love — flood back, intercept and control possession.

Twenty-five years after ruining Collingwood’s 100th anniversary, the Blues again relished the chance to spoil the party.

Again, Carlton’s defence was rock solid. Caleb Marchbank keeps taking intercept marks, Sam Docherty is so stable and assured in one-on-one’s and Kade Simpson just keeps doing it.

Matthew Kreuzer was colossal in the ruck, smashing Brodie Grundy and Cox with one of those heart and soul performances he is capable of.

Sam Petrevski-Seton celebrates a goal against Collingwood.

Matthew Wright’s smarts are enhanced in the wet, Marc Murphy’s terrific season continues and Sam Petrevski-Seton’s class was as evident as it’s ever been with 22 touches, two goals and two score assists.

When Bryce Gibbs slipped out of a nest of Pies to goal on the run 24 minutes into the third, the Blues led by 36 points.

But the final nail would come from a poetic source five minutes into the final term.

Dale Thomas marked on the 50m, sold a dummy to leave Tyson Goldsack on the turf, took two bounces and kicked a running banana before unleashing an emotion-charged fist pump.

As Collingwood’s 2010 premiership star ran smiling all the way to the Carlton bench, up in the stands Magpies president Eddie McGuire’s face looked like ash.

Again.

VOTES

3. Matthew Kreuzer (Carl)

2. Sam Petrevski-Seton (Carl)

1. Ben Reid (Coll)

BEST

Collingwood: B.Reid, T.Adams, J.Elliott, L.Greenwood

Carlton: M.Kreuzer, S.Petrevski-Seton, C.Marchbank, M.Murphy, S.Docherty, K.Simpson, M.Wright