Eddie McGuire leads Collingwood devastation after grand final defeat

EDDIE McGuire’s worst nightmare came true at the AFL Grand Final and he wasn’t sugar-coating his devastation in the aftermath.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/AFL Media/Getty Images)

COLLINGWOOD president Eddie McGuire rode every bump with his team in the stands during their heartbreaking AFL Grand Final defeat — and he looked a broken figure in the aftermath.

The Magpies were storming to a record-equalling 16th flag after kicking the first five goals of the game but it all went pear-shaped as the Eagles won by five points.

“You come here with hope in your heart ... that’s what big time sport is all about,” McGuire said.

“If you put yourself out there you’re going to feel devastation at times.

“I bought into what (coach) Nathan Buckley and the boys brought to the table this year.

“As it turns out, we were in front for 95 per cent of the game and behind for five per cent. The bottom line is, we’re behind from eternity from here.”

Photographs that emerged from the aftermath were brutal.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire hugs Josh Thomas. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Chris Mayne. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Jeremy Howe is consoled. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Mason Cox. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Travis Varcoe is comforted by loved ones. Picture: Nicole Garmston

A sad Pies fan. Picture: Mark Stewart

Despite the pain, Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley is imploring his players not to lose that loving feeling.

Buckley believes the love and care shown by his players for each other can help them overcome the shattering defeat. But, he says, it’s not a given.

“The people who represent our club have been enormous,” Buckley said. “I have a great deal of pride for our organisation and the way we carry ourselves and the way we conduct our business.

“We’re never beaten and we will always give our best. I have never felt as proud of the club as I do right now.”

Brodie Grundy on the final siren. Picture: Michael Klein

Taylor Adams and Brody Mihocek. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Scott Pendlebury (front) and the dejected Magpies. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Tyson Goldsack. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Nathan Buckley and Brodie Grundy. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Brody Mihocek and Mason Cox. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Buckley challenged his players to face the reality of their missed opportunity — the Magpies led for all but nine minutes of the grand final only for Eagle Dom Sheed to kick the premiership-winning goal with less than two minutes remaining.

“We have to face this reality, and then how we respond to this reality,” he said. “It won’t be for lack of support. It won’t be for lack of love or care for each other.

“But that needs to be something that is continually digged into and never taken for granted. It’s finite unless you keep producing it.

“So that is going to be a big challenge for us. But I have got no doubt that that has become us and become part of our personality and who we are. And I look forward to seeing where that takes us.”

— with AAP

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