Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has bought himself some breathing space after win over Hawthorn

IT was the Jaws of Life and a defibrillator in one coach-saving hit. But how exactly did Collingwood recover from being 43 points down to beat Hawthorn?

Nathan Buckley celebrates with his family in the rooms. Picture: Michael Klein

IT was the Jaws of Life and a defibrillator in one coach-saving hit.

It was Collingwood’s high-risk, high-octane comeback when everything was lost that pulled its coach from footy’s death bed.

It was Eddie McGuire going from shaking his head in the first half to pumping his fist and unable to sit down in the second.

It was survival — at least for now — for Nathan Buckley. The most besieged coach in the caper has bought himself some breathing space. Only a little, mind you, but when you’re staring down the barrel of 2-7 anything will do.

AMAZING WIN: RECAP COLLINGWOOD’S WIN

If this game saw a doctor it would be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.

Collingwood trailed Hawthorn by 43 points 11 minutes into the second quarter and Buckley’s men looked as lost in possession as any side you’ve seen.

Even in an industry that falls over itself to pronounce the end, this was the stake in the heart of a coaching career that’s gone south since it started six seasons ago.

Josh Smith celebrates after kicking the winning goal for the Magpies. Picture: AAP Images

The Pies’ first 40 minutes were horrific against an injury-ravaged brown and gold unit more Box Hill than Hawthorn. Words don’t do it justice, but the numbers do.

The Pies’ 0.1 at quarter time was their lowest ever first quarter score under Buckley and Hawthorn’s 6.1 made it his side’s worst opening term.

So bad was it, Brendan Fevola said on Triple M: “If this gets out to 100 points, Buckley is gawn. Gawn!”

But just when the Pies’ favourite son had become the unequivocal black sheep of the black and white family, half-time came and a flicked-switch with it.

Collingwood went from insipid to irrepressible. They slammed on 5.5 to 0.1 in the third quarter to draw level at the last change and 4.1 to 1.1 in the fourth to complete the most unlikely of comebacks.

Come from behind wins always need a spark and Collingwood’s came from James Aish. The lightly-framed fringe player summed up the Pies’ second half mindset when he bravely put his head over the ball in a car crash-like hit with Daniel Howe.

James Aish and Daniel Howe collided in a sickening head clash. #AFLPiesHawks pic.twitter.com/9Soih4ZdBx

— AFL (@AFL) May 20, 2017

He broke his cheekbone, Aish. But while his pain was temporary, his contribution won’t be forgotten. Without him, the Pies’ stagnant, groan-inducing ball movement was replaced by what Adam Treloar later said was a “play on at all-costs” mindset.

It was daring, direct and it worked.

Adam Treloar went from bitching at teammates in the first half to running riot in the second.

Scott Pendlebury went from uncharacteristically coughing the ball up in the first term to cutting Hawthorn apart thereafter.

With Taylor Adams and Steele Sidebotton, they overwhelmed Tom Mitchell, who was carrying Hawthorn’s midfield on his own. Allowed to roam free without Levi Greenwood for company, Mitchell had 26 touches at half time, 50 by the final siren and for a long time threatened to belt the Pies on his own.

Tom Mitchell has 50 touches for Hawthorn. Picture: Getty Images

The same supporters who had their heads in their hands early in the second quarter were chanting “Coooollingwoood” by the end of the fourth.

So, what does it all mean?

In truth, Buckley wasn’t going to be sacked tonight. But he certainly wasn’t going to be reappointed either. For now, he resides in the postcode of insecurity — coaching for his life.

After the final siren he walked into a Collingwood change room dripping with relief. He kissed wife Tania and football manager Geoff Walsh threw an arm around him.

“I don’t think we ever stopped believing. There’s always belief there,” Treloar said.

“It shows when we play the way we want to play we can match it with everyone.”

Which must be exactly what keeps Bucks awake at night. They can do it, but why can’t they do it more often?