AFL round 24: Collingwood signs off on premiership defence with victory over Melbourne

Collingwood signed off on its premiership defence with a commanding win over Melbourne in a dramatic match that featured a lightning delay and a 65-minute last quarter.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 23: Bobby Hill of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the round 24 AFL match between Melbourne Demons and Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on August 23, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Nick Daicos might just look back on Friday night’s clash with Melbourne as the game that delivered him his first Brownlow Medal as the Collingwood superstar inspired his side to a crushing 46-point victory in a lightning-delayed clash at the MCG.

Players and umpires were forced from the field at the 14-minute mark of the final quarter due to lightning strikes in the vicinity of the stadium and the match didn’t restart for another 36 minutes.

The final term lasted 65 minutes all up, which was one of the longest quarters in VFL/AFL history.

Steele Sidebottom enjoys an early goal for the Pies. Picture: Michael Klein

With not much riding on the game, the contest had a practice match feel about it, and a stark lack of pressure, particularly from Melbourne, but Daicos stood out as he so often does to register 40 disposals (10 contested), 11 marks, nine clearances, 10 inside 50s and two goals.

And in what promises to be a very tight Brownlow count this year, with the likes of Patrick Cripps, Lachie Neale, Marcus Bontempelli, Caleb Serong and Zach Merrett all in contention as well, another three votes at the death could be enough to tip Daicos over the edge.

Meanwhile, Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett will likely have a delayed start to season 2025 after collecting Collingwood captain Darcy Moore in the side of the head in the second quarter.

Darcy Cameron capped a strong year with another impressive performance. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The incident left Moore prone on the ground for multiple seconds and he was subbed out of the game, meaning Pickett will be very fortunate to escape a suspension.

Josh Daicos made it a family affair, joining his younger brother Nick on 40 disposals, Patrick Lipinski racked up 30 touches, 12 marks and two goals while ruckman Darcy Cameron (two goals) had a good duel with Melbourne champion Max Gawn who finished with 21 touches (14 contested), 25 hit outs and five clearances. Bobby Hill was lively for the Magpies as well with 17 possessions and two goals.

Alex Neal-Bullen did a tremendous tagging job on Nick Daicos on King’s Birthday, but the Demons opted against rehashing that successful tactic.

In fact, aside from the second quarter, when youngster Judd McVee did a reasonable job on him, Daicos probably enjoyed as much space as he has all season and he got off the chain again in the second half to stamp his authority on the contest.

Nick Daicos pressed his Brownlow Medal claims. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

With no Steven May or Jake Lever in Melbourne’s backline, the Demons lacked meaningful presence in defence and it didn’t take long for gaping holes to open up in Collingwood’s forward line.

After coughing up the first goal, Collingwood kicked the next six to apply a stranglehold on the contest, and they were barely challenged from that point on.

Collingwood were under minimal pressure for most of the game as Melbourne appeared to already be on Mad Monday with their lack of intent, appetite for the contest, defensive mindset and general skill level glaring.

Early in the second quarter, the Magpies already had 43 uncontested marks and 10 grabs inside 50 (the AFL average per team per game is 12).

At halftime the Magpies were comfortably winning the disposals 190-145, yet were also in front on tackles 23-18, highlighting the Demons’ substandard effort. Collingwood would finish with almost 100 more touches (401-304).

At three-quarter time, Collingwood were smashing Melbourne in scores from turnover 9.6 (60) to 2.4 (16).

WISHFUL THINKING

Technically, the 15.13 (103) to 8.9 (57) result kept Collingwood’s season alive, but to make the finals, they will require St Kilda to defeat Carlton by about 150 points and also Port Adelaide to defeat Fremantle.

DEMONS PAY RESPECT

Melbourne wore black armbands in honour of Herald Sun sports journalist Sam Landsberger, who tragically lost his life earlier this week.

Melbourne are wearing black armbands for Sam Landsberger tonight. Many thanks to so many in the AFL community who have reached out to check in this week in a difficult time for all of his colleagues @FOXFOOTY@heraldsunsport

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) August 23, 2024

Melbourne v Collingwood has been paused due to lightning. #AFLDeesPiespic.twitter.com/RccAkO3psm

— AFL (@AFL) August 23, 2024

NOT FORGIVEN OR FORGOTTEN

Melbourne fans showed Brayden Maynard that they have long memories as they continued to relentlessly boo the premiership Magpie for delivering a career-ending concussion to Dees favourite son Angus Brayshaw last September. The boos got louder as the game wore on and reached their zenith when he vigorously remonstrated with Pickett for his hit on Moore. And in the second half Pickett found himself copping the boos from the Collingwood faithful for putting their skipper out of commission.