Mitch McGovern can write own cheque after goal to secure a draw for Adelaide against Collingwood
COLLINGWOOD was left devastated after they let slip a 50-point lead. But one man looms as the big winner after one of the games of the season, writes JAY CLARK.
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MITCH McGovern can write his own cheque now.
Just when you thought this crazy season couldn’t get any better, the Adelaide high flyer produced one of the most magical moments of the season to pinch a draw against Collingwood after the siren at the MCG.
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And it was old-school.
Flying in from the side of the pack, McGovern reeled in a spectacular grab in the final five seconds and then coolly nailed the set shot from 40m to tie scores and break the hearts of the Pies.
We already thought McGovern, 22, had some of the best hands in the business and here was more stunning proof, as Fremantle court the key forward with an offer in the vicinity of $750,000 a season. It looks worth it, and we think he is gone.
Collingwood was devastated to let this slip and the rooms after the match were deathly silent as the heavy hitters tried to comprehend such a bitter ill.
The Pies led by 50 points in the third term yesterday when Adam Treloar nailed one on the run but they went to sleep after that and now are officially out of the finals race.
They still led by 22 points midway through the last term when Jarryd Blair kicked a gem off a couple of steps from 40m out. But Andy Otten quickly responded with two of his own to set up the thrilling finish.
Big changes loom at Collingwood at the end of the season and another a small crowd came along to watch, even after back-to-back wins.
Even with 14 seconds left, Collingwood defender Tom Langdon had the ball for Collingwood in the back pocket after producing a desperate tackle and spoil to try to save his side.
But his kick-in from the last line fell straight into waiting arms of Jake Kelly, the man who could have went to Collingwood father-son.
Yes, that hurts even more.
Kelly marked all alone on the 50m arc and then sent the ball to the hot spot where McGovern pulled in the outrageous grab in a moment he will never forget.
Adelaide got out of jail here after a disastrous first half, slamming home nine goals to turn this one on its head.
The post mortem will focus on how the Pies can win the contested possession count by 51, lead by more than eight goals, and despite late majors from Daniel Wells and Blair, still not prevail.
Brodie Smith got off the chain, Matt Crouch lifted the work rate, Josh Jenkins responded from a horrible first half with three goals and the man of the moment McGovern couldn’t be stopped.
The writing is on the wall for coach Nathan Buckley now it seems, and he would be crushed by the result, when it all looked so rosy at half time.
They played some of their best footy of the season until half time but after defending so well in the first half, they couldn’t contain the Adelaide ball movement or forwards in the second half.
Tyson Goldsack was again left to play in the key defensive post with Ben Reid up forward.
President Eddie McGuire is determined to get to the root of the Pies’ problems.
Their finals hopes are over now and you think it’s time to have a look at some of the kids, like Callum Brown and Kayle Kirby. Josh Daicos hurt his foot in the VFL.
Of course, Wells was outstanding. The big money for the Pies’ recruit was always a risk if the silken midfielder couldn’t get out on the park.
But the former North Melbourne star turned on something special to get the Pies within a whisker of one of the upsets of the season.
In a season where skill errors have killed Collingwood, Wells cut a swath through the Crows with the precision of a surgeon. In the crucial last five minutes he laced out the perfect pass to Darcy Moore, who missed the shot on goal and the chance to put the result beyond reach.
In fairness, this was one of Moore’s best games for the season, and his marking on the lead up on the wings was a highlight.
But Wells got the three votes. When he plays, Collingwood is six wins, two losses, and now a draw. Statistically it makes him one of the most important players in the competition.
Now is he worth the money? It was impossible to dispute after his showing against the Crows.
Extraordinarily, Adelaide coach Don Pyke let him do his own thing, whereas Levi Greenwood tagged Rory Sloane out of the game again, in what appears to be the central plank in any blueprint to beat Adelaide.
And so this crazy season delivered one of its most enthralling twists.
COLLINGWOOD 4.3 9.6 12.9 15.13 (103) ADELAIDE 2.1 3.4 10.4 16.7 (103)
Goals: Collingwood: D Wells 3 T Adams 3 B Reid 2 J Blair 2 A Treloar D Moore J Elliott J Thomas W Hoskin-Elliott
Adelaide: M McGovern 4 J Jenkins 3 A Otten 2 B Smith C Cameron D Mackay P Seedsman R Knight T Lynch T Walker
Best: Collingwood: Wells, Adams, Sidebottom, Moore, Howe,
Adelaide: McGovern, Smith, Crouch, Walker, Douglas, Jenkins, McKay
Umpires: Ben Ryan, Simon Meredith, Dean Margetts
JAY CLARK’S VOTES:
3 — Daniel Wells
2 — Taylor Adams
1 — Mitch McGovern
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