Collingwood secures its first win of the AFLW season, beating Melbourne in a huge upset

COLLINGWOOD has kept its AFLW finals hopes alive with a dominant 34-point win over a disappointing Melbourne in Alice Springs. Mo Hope returned to form with two goals for the Magpies.

Collingwood players celebrate their massive win over Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD kept its faint AFLW finals hopes alive with a dominant 34-point win over a disappointing Melbourne in Alice Springs on Saturday night.

After a scoreless first term, the Magpies turned on the flair in the trying conditions of the Red Centre to prevail 9.4 (58) to 3.6 (24) as they recorded their first win of the 2018 ­season.

With temperatures reaching 38C throughout play in the first AFLW match in Alice Springs, it was the Pies who kept their cool best as they slotted six goals to one in the second half.

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Skipper Steph Chiocci was at her prolific best for Collingwood, covering every inch of grass at Traeger Park to record 17 disposals and a goal in a vital win for her side.

Small forward Moana Hope also put in her best performance of the 2018 season, slotting two goals and creating others with her forward pressure.

Moana Hope celebrates a goal for the Magpies. Picture: Getty Images

With scores tight at halftime, Collingwood blew the game open in the third term, kicking three goals to one to head into the final term leading by 18 points.

The Pies then rammed home their advantage in the final quarter, holding the Dees goalless.

“There’s always relief when you get your first win but more importantly we got reward for effort for our playing group,” Collingwood coach Wayne Siekman said.

“We’ve had really good patches throughout the season where we’ve actually dominated the three sides we’ve played previously but we haven’t been able to sustain that.

“That gives us great prospects and great insight into what we can do and what we’re able to achieve for the rest of the season if we keep putting out performances like that. Everyone feels the pressure now, not just our football club. It’s only a seven-week season so the heat is on, it’s not like you have 22 or 23 rounds and you get to have a couple of hiccups.

“Now that we’ve got some momentum and the players have seen what we’ve been trying to execute all pre-season, the challenge is we go back home and prepare for another big clash next Sunday against the Western Bulldogs who are on top of the ladder.”

Collingwood players celebrate after a goal. Picture: AAP Images

The Demons weren’t able to get their run-and-carry game flowing and looked lethargic after quarter-time.

Melbourne was again wasteful in front of goal, kicking three goals and six behinds.

All-Australian Elise O’Dea was again impressive in a losing side, collecting 19 disposals as well as slotting a goal, while Karen Paxman also found the ball at will with 18 touches.

Originally published as Collingwood secures its first win of the AFLW season, beating Melbourne in a huge upset