Jamie Elliott makes perfect start to first game since 2017 with two first-quarter goals for Collingwood

If anyone doubted what Jamie Elliott still means to Collingwood — the team and the club — that question mark was expunged seven minutes into Friday night’s seven-point loss to Geelong.

Jamie Elliott made a dream start to his return for Collingwood. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

If anyone ever doubted what Jamie Elliott still means to Collingwood — the team and the club — that question mark was expunged seven minutes into Friday night’s cobweb-brushing seven-point loss to Geelong at the MCG.

More than 570 days since his last AFL game, Elliott swiftly gave Magpies fans a reminder of what they had been missing ... in spectacular fashion.

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And without him, the final margin would been far greater.

A boundary throw-in the forward pocket provided Elliott with an early opportunity and he grasped it as if he was a man desperate to make up for lost time.

The ball popped out of the ruck duel, leaving Elliott and Mark Blicavs between the Sherrin and the boundary line. The Magpie deflty edged out his bigger opponent, wrested the ball away from him, and sprinted around to kick his first goal since his last game in Round 23, 2017.

Jamie Elliott wow. That reminds everyone what the Pies have been missing.

— Glenn McFarlane (@MaccaHeraldSun) March 22, 2019

It wasn’t just the class of the goal; it was the reaction of his teammates.

They swamped Elliott from all directions, stormed from one city end of the MCG to the Punt Rd end, not even worrying about how the new 6-6-6 starting position rule would mean they wouldn’t be able to hang around for long.

Even defender Jeremy Howe made it to the other end of the ground, as Elliott buried his head into his teammate’s chest, delighted with the outcome.

The Cats won the game — and deservedly so as they were cleaner when it mattered — adding a host of new faces into the mix.

Jamie Elliott is congratulated after kicking Collingwood’s first goal against Geelong.

But as frustrating as the loss was for Nathan Buckley, the long-term positives of Elliott’s return, plus the strong comeback in defence from Darcy Moore, won’t be lost on him when the dust settles.

While Collingwood’s forward line didn’t have that polished 2018 edge to it, and the inefficiency, particularly in the second term, would have frustrated the hell out of Buckley, Elliott always looked the most dangerous deep in attack.

His second goal wasn’t as inspired as his first, it was an over-the-top gimme courtesy of Brody Mihocek. But it came when the Magpies needed it for a lift.

He added a third goal just before halftime, and while he didn’t score another major, he still provided so much to the attack, and helped to set up a Jordan De Goey major in the third term.

It was a frustrating night for Collingwood, but the long-term positives might outweigh the short-term frustration.

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Jamie Elliott is still one of the most dangerous forwards in this game when fit - doesn’t need much of it but boy he can make an impact #AFLPiesCats

— Nick D'Urbano (@NickDurbano_) March 22, 2019

Jamie Elliott could easily win the Coleman medal this year if he stays fit.#AFLPiesCats

— Naim the Chad (@goldandbrown4) March 22, 2019

Jamie Elliott is back!

The game has missed you, Billy. ✨#AFLPiesCats pic.twitter.com/qx6I09Xc2e

— AFL (@AFL) March 22, 2019