AFL: Collingwood shores up finals spot with big win over arch rival Carlton

The Magpies’ success over a long-time rival engenders hopes Collingwood might yet contend later this season if big names return

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley celebrates with John Noble after the Magpies 24-point win over Carlton at the Gabba. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Collingwood have celebrated coach Nathan Buckley’s 200th game in charge with a win over arch rivals Carlton that effectively ends the Blues’ finals hopes.

Despite the absence of several stars, the Magpies produced a defensive masterpiece after halftime at the Gabba to defeat Carlton by 24 points, kicking 10.12 (72) to 7.6 (48).

From a historical perspective, Collingwood drew level with Carlton on 127 wins apiece in a VFL/AFL rivalry that dates back to 1897, though both clubs competed in the VFA prior to that.

More importantly for Collingwood’s hopes in 2020, an eighth win from 14 matches, along with a draw with Richmond, shores up their spot in the eight with three matches remaining.

The triumph lifted Collingwood, who kicked their highest score since Round 3, to sixth place and the Magpies now hold a six-point buffer over rivals pushing for a spot in the eight.

The advantage is important given Collingwood faces a testing finish to the season, something star midfielder Taylor Adams noted after the match.

“It was a must win game, really, against an old rival up at the Gabba. It was an important win for us,” he said.

Josh Daicos. This skill is in his genes 🙌#AFLBluesPies pic.twitter.com/xTKvMtqcrL

— AFL (@AFL) August 30, 2020

The Magpies clash with the third-placed Brisbane in a Friday night blockbuster in Brisbane later this week.

They then face the Gold Coast before the bye, with a final-round clash against the top-placed Port Adelaide likely to be pivotal for both clubs in terms of positioning in the eight.

The Magpies have managed to retain their spot in recent weeks despite the absence of personnel including Jordan de Goey, Jeremy Howe and Adam Treloar.

Vice-captain Steele Sidebottom, who was suspended for four matches for a COVID-10 breach earlier this season, left the hub last week to be with his pregnant partner.

The possible return of all four Magpies later this season will engender hope Collingwood can contend for the premiership, though the quartet and their club will need a lot to go right.

But the Magpies’ improved efficiency in attack on Sunday against Carlton was pleasing after recent dour struggles.

Mason Cox looks to have regained touch after a stint out-of-favour playing in scratch matches in Perth and Queensland.

The American’s ability to bring the ball to ground aided the cause of returning Magpie Jaidyn Stephenson and Josh Thomas, who were both lively when kicking two goals.

The pair had 11 shots for goal from Collingwood’s 40 entries into the attacking 50m arc.

Former St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt said the Magpies looked far more dangerous as a result of their small fleet of forwards finding form.

“It was really important. They started to get some of their game back today,” he said on Fox Footy.

“They defended really strongly but they also started to find other avenues to goal. The efficiency was big from Collingwood today.

“They needed more from players like Stephenson and Thomas, so to get that level of scoreboard contribution was so important.”

Carlton failed to kick a goal after halftime and now face a test to dislodge the sides immediately above them to clinch a spot in the eight.

The 12th-placed Blues sit one win and 14 percentage points behind the eighth-placed Demons, who claimed a three-point thriller over St Kilda on Saturday night in Alice Springs.

It was St Kilda’s fourth loss from five games decided by less than a goal this season, with their inability to clinch tight matches placing their spot in the eight in some jeopardy.

The Saints sit a game ahead of Melbourne, the Giants and the Western Bulldogs, though the Demons and GWS have an additional match to play in the run to the finals.

Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel, who was providing analysis on the Carlton and Collingwood clash, described the battle for a spot in the lower reaches of the eight as a logjam.

“We probably all agree (that) the top five is set … but the bottom couple of spots for the eight are all up for grabs,” he said.

The Giants’ finals hopes may well rest on clashes against Melbourne in Round 17 and St Kilda in the final round.

The Western Bulldogs face a significant clash against West Coast in Round 16 before finishing the season against Hawthorn and Fremantle.