Collingwood has withstood Carlton’s challenge to prevail by 21 points in another highly-entertaining Thursday night clash at the MCG.
The Blues threatened throughout but couldn’t cut an eight-point three quarter time deficit, with the Pies controlling large parts of the final term as they slowed the game down to take the sting out of the contest.
One of the key questions heading into Thursday night’s clash was whether Collingwood would be able to accelerate their ball movement after their season-opening loss to Western Bulldogs.
The Pies could only manage seven goals for the entirety of last week’s clash but just a quarter in, they had booted six and were up to 11 majors at half-time in a dramatic shift of their game style, with the intention to play on at every opportunity evident throughout.
Jordan De Goey was simply magnificent in his 100th game, booting four goals in the first half and constantly providing a dangerous option both as a marking target and when the ball hit the ground inside Collingwood’s forward fifty.
For Carlton, Michael Gibbons kicked two of the best goals you’ll see this season, complementing a classy checkside snap in the first term with a miraculous goal deep in the forward pocket in the second term to keep his side in the contest.
Gibbons from the pocket if you don't mind.#AFLBluesPies pic.twitter.com/nlXATl4JHn
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) March 25, 2021
In his first game this season, Jack Martin was one of Carlton's best in the opening half, kicking three goals and providing an added target for the Blues alongside talls Harry McKay and Levi Casboult.
Jack Crisp was one of Collingwood's standouts, finding the footy on 36 occasions and shone in a dominant fourth quarter when the game was there to be won.
Here’s everything you need to know!
The blockbuster duel: Harry McKay’s barnstorming battle with Darcy Moore
Harry McKay’s duel against Darcy Moore lived up to the billing, with the two going toe-to-toe throughout the night.
McKay, who bounced back magnificently after last week, kicked four straight goals yet Moore was superb as well in his attempts to curtail him.
Their contest peaked in the third quarter, with both Moore and McKay having their moments as the two traded blows in what was arguably the best one-on-one battle so far this season.
The big injury: Jamie Elliott limps off in the second quarter
It’s the sight no footy fan wanted to see, with Jamie Elliott falling awkwardly in a marking contest and having to leave the MCG with the assistance of trainers in the second term.
After a quick assessment in the rooms, the 28-year-old was ruled out of the match with a suspected ankle injury and Trey Ruscoe activated as the medical sub.
He was later pictured on crutches, with scans in the coming days set to reveal the severity of the injury setback.
The added capacity: Biggest crowd in Australia since pandemic began
While Thursday night's crowd of 51,723 fell short of setting the record for the world’s biggest sporting attendance since the start of the pandemic, the added easing of restrictions this week to allowing over 50 per cent capacity was another step towards normality for footy-starved Melburnians.
Scanning in with QR codes was mandatory to enter the MCG from Round 2, which marked the only real chance for fans following the announcement earlier in the week that up to 75,000 fans were now allowed to attend matches.
What's next?
Carlton’s next match looms as an awkward assignment against a plucky Fremantle outfit at Marvel Stadium next Sunday afternoon, while Collingwood travel north for the now traditional Easter Thursday clash against Brisbane at the Gabba.
FULL SCORE
Carlton: 3.2, 8.3, 12.4, 13.7 (85)
Collingwood: 6.2, 11.5, 8.12, 16.10 (106)
GOALS
Carlton: McKay 4, Gibbons 3, Martin 3, Pittonet, Fisher, Fogarty
Collingwood: De Goey 4, Mihocek, Cox 2, Elliott 2, Adams, Daicos, Hoskin-Elliott, Ruscoe, Sidebottom
BEST
Carlton: McKay, Martin, Walsh, Fogarty, Saad
Collingwood: De Goey, Moore, Crisp, Adams, Pendlebury
Reports: Nil
Injuries
Carlton: Nil
Collingwood: Elliott (ankle), replaced by Ruscoe
Crowd: 51,723 at the MCG