AFL Round 18 Collingwood v Fremantle: Pies defeat Dockers 113-67 to remain on top
The Pies have kept their stranglehold on top of the AFL ladder, with a barnstorming second term blowing away Fremantle and sending yet another warning shot to the rest of the AFL.
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An awe-inspiring second-quarter barrage has powered Collingwood to a convincing 46-point win over Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday, all but snuffing out the Dockers’ faint finals hopes in savage fashion.
Fremantle started the match in positive fashion, and were within four points of the Magpies in the shadows of quarter-time.
But despite the workmanlike Dockers’ best efforts, Collingwood’s forward efficiency and blistering ball movement were far superior, and it wasn’t long before they shot out to a 54-point lead late in the second term on the back of eight consecutive goals.
Just as they did last week when the Bulldogs challenged them, the Magpies clinically wrested back the momentum from Fremantle whose pressure plummeted.
In all, the Magpies kicked 10.1 in the second term, which was their best quarter under coach Craig McRae.
Magpies star Brayden Maynard lit the fuse for a mouth-watering top-of-the-table blockbuster next round after the demolition.
“We love every challenge that comes out way,” he told Fox Footy.
“We’re sitting on the top of the ladder for a reason, so Port better bring their A game because we’re coming over there and we’re going to give it our best.”
Fremantle were completely outclassed and simply had no ability to stop the ruthless Collingwood rampage, as the Magpies smashed the Dockers in disposals 86-47, contested possessions 37-24, clearances 12-6, forward entries 19-4 and marks 28-12 for the quarter, while the hosts also took 10 of their 15 marks inside 50 against Freo’s overwhelmed backline.
Once again, Collingwood’s devastating speed and transition game proved too much for their inferior opposition to handle, and half of the Magpies’ first 100 points were generated from the back half.
The Magpies ended up winning 18.5 (113) to 10.7 (67), and finished with sizeable advantages in disposals (369-327), marks (96-65) and inside 50s (53-35).
But it wasn’t all positive news for the Magpies as All-Australian backman Brayden Maynard appeared to re-aggravate his troublesome right shoulder early in the first quarter attempting to spoil an opponent. He played the remainder of the match seemingly favouring and protecting his right arm as much as possible from heavy contact.
After being involved in a strong tackle or smother, the tough defender often emerged cradling the affected arm, and given the stage of the season, the Magpies could be faced with a dilemma as to whether they bite the bullet and get it surgically repaired, or see it through until the finals and hope he can play through the pain.
The Dockers didn’t escape unscathed either.
Star ruckman Sean Darcy suffered what looked to be a significant right ankle injury early in the third quarter and finished the day on crutches with a big ice pack on his foot.
And shortly after, defender Brandon Walker suffered a serious right knee injury which required him to be stretchered from the ground and administered the green pain whistle, causing a lengthy delay in play.
Collingwood veteran Taylor Adams was prevalent in the decisive second quarter, and reached halftime with 16 disposals (eight contested), six marks (one), five tackles, six clearances and two goals, while Nick Daicos was also influential, racking up 21 of his 36 touches by the midway point of the contest, before finishing with 11 contested possessions, seven clearances, seven forward entries and a goal.
Magpies captain Darcy Moore had a big say on proceedings early too, taking a whopping five intercept marks in the opening quarter, Jamie Elliott kicked four goals, and usual suspects such as Jordan De Goey and Josh Daicos also wreaked havoc.
Jaeger O’Meara (30 disposals, 10 clearances and one goal) and Andrew Brayshaw (30 and seven clearances) didn’t stop trying for Freo, while Josh Treacy kicked three goals.
FREO KISS FINALS GOODBYE
The match continued the Dockers’ disappointing back-up season to their semi-final appearance last year and ensured they will remain in the bottom four this weekend.
Justin Longmuir’s side will probably have to win their last six games to give themselves the best chance of featuring in September, and that seems highly unlikely given Geelong (away), Brisbane and Port Adelaide are still in their run home.
Collingwood have now won four games in a row and will spend their 11th week for the season on top of the ladder.
FREO LOSE ANOTHER FIRST QUARTER
Fremantle’s best footy of the day came early in the game, and they actually kicked three of four goals at one stage. But it wasn’t enough to save them from trailing at quarter-time yet again. The Dockers’ slow starts have been a massive issue for them all year and they have now lost 15 of 17 first quarters.
JUMPER CLASH UNDOES OLEG
Early in the first quarter, Collingwood speedster Oleg Markov took two bounces, ran inside 50 and looked like he was going to help himself to an impressive goal. But rather than have a ping at the big sticks, he chipped it to the goal square where there were two Dockers players, leading to a bizarre turnover. It looked as though he thought they were Collingwood players, and that he fell victim to an inexplicable jumper clash after the AFL, for some reason, allowed Fremantle to wear their dark purple jumpers, rather than their white ones, against the Magpies’ predominantly black tops.
MAGPIES 4.1, 14.2, 16.4, 18.5 (113)
DOCKERS 3.2, 5.3, 7.4, 10.7 (67)
LERNER’S BESTMagpies: N.Daicos, Adams, Moore, J.Daicos, De Goey, Elliott, Maynard. Dockers: O’Meara, Brayshaw, Erasmus, Jackson, Treacy.
GOALS Magpies: Elliott 4, Johnson 3, Adams 2, McStay 2, Pendlebury, Cox, Frampton, J.Daicos, Hill, Crisp, N.Daicos. Dockers: Treacy 3, Jackson 2, Sturt 2, Amiss, O’Meara, Banfield.
INJURIES Magpies: Maynard (shoulder), Frampton (thigh). Dockers: Darcy (foot), Walker (knee).
UMPIRES Foot, Johanson, Rosebury, Hosking
VENUE MCG
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
LERNER’S VOTES
3 Nick Daicos (Coll)
2 Taylor Adams (Coll)
1 Darcy Moore (Coll)
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Originally published as AFL Round 18 Collingwood v Fremantle: Pies defeat Dockers 113-67 to remain on top
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