Collingwood have moved to 8-1 on the season with an impressive 120–55 win over GWS at the MCG on Sunday evening.
With the chance to remain a game clear on top of the AFL ladder, the Magpies seemingly didn’t put a foot wrong as they cut the Giants to ribbons throughout the game with their electric ball movement.
It was new Magpie Bobby Hill who got his side off to a fast start against his old side, with the young forward kicking a freakish goal from the boundary to set the stadium alight on Mother’s Day.
After a five-goal first term, the Magpies continued to put their foot down in the second with Mason Cox dominating Matt Flynn in both the ruck and around the ground as the big American helped the Magpies build their lead.
Having been tagged in the past two weeks, Brownlow favourite Nick Daicos – who finished with 41 disposals and nine score involvements - immediately returned to his lethal best as GWS allowed the second-year gun to roam relatively free as the half-back continually launched his side from half back.
After a disappointing first half, the Giants seemed to set up better in the third term with their ball movement at times eye-catching.
While they would have been happier with how they looked after the main break, they still couldn’t win the term as the Magpies kicked four goals to three to take a 41-point lead into the last.
Clearly, GWS’ best push came in that third quarter as the ladder-leaders began to put their foot down in the last with some scintillating footy turning into a five-goal to one term.
For Collingwood, their win was set up initially from Cox’s dominance in the air around the ground at the contest.
The sunglass-wearing Texan ended his day with two goals, 19 disposals, nine marks, 25 hitouts and four clearances in what could arguably be considered the best game of his career particularly with preferred rucks Darcy Cameron and Billy Frampton out of the side.
AFL Nation’s Mark Maclure heaped praise on the American’s big game post-match.
“I think Mason Cox was the moment for me for the whole game,” Maclure said.
“His change and the way he played, he dominates with his marking inside 50 and in the centre square.
“He has become so confident in himself, which is the most important thing.
“He has become a very pivotal player for this side.
“I’m so proud of him … for him to come here having never played this game before, now he’s dominating games, that’s what I love.”
As well as his younger brother, wingman Josh Daicos won plenty of the football with 26 touches as well as kicking a goal, while Jordan De Goey (one goal, 31 disposals, seven clearances) and Tom Mitchell (36 disposals) allowed the Magpies to get first use at the stoppage more often than not.
For GWS, young midfielder Finn Callaghan impressed with 22 disposals and a goal and his performance would have been even better if he finished better in front of goals.
He was well supported by the likes of Stephen Coniglio (32 disposals), Lachie Ash (one goal, 32 disposals) and Tom Green (30 disposals) who all continued to fight hard.
While most of the team stats were fairly even with Collingwood’s ball use setting them apart, GWS coach Adam Kingsley would have been bitterly disappointed to lose the tackle count 63–29 despite trailing all day.
With no notable injuries to either side, they’ll now gear up for big Round 10 clashes next Sunday with the Magpies facing archrivals Carlton in a huge clash at the MCG while GWS host St Kilda at home on the same day.
FULL SCORE
Collingwood: 5.1, 9.4, 13.8, 18.12. (120)
GWS: 2.4, 3.8, 6.9, 7.13. (55)
GOALS
Collingwood: Elliott 3, Cox 2, Ginnivan 2, Hill 2, Hoskin-Elliott 2, McCreery 2, Mihocek 2, J Daicos, De Goey, Johnson
GWS: Hogan 3, O’Halloran, Callaghan, Ash, Kelly
BEST
Collingwood: Mason Cox, Jordan De Goey, Nick Daicos, Tom Mitchell, Jamie Elliott
GWS: Lachie Ash, Finn Callaghan, Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly
CROWD 37,631 at the MCG.