Collingwood have extended their lead atop the AFL ladder with a comfortable 105-70 win over North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
Much of the fanfare in the lead-up to the clash surrounded Magpies great Steele Sidebottom who became the club’s fourth 300-gamer.
Unfortunately for the veteran wingman, his special day was cut short early in the first quarter as he came from the field with just four disposals to his name after suffering an MCL injury.
While the Magpies lost one of their key leaders early, it didn’t slow them down on-field as they roared away to a four-goal to-zero opening term.
The second quarter though would be far closer as North Melbourne began to break even around the ground and even get on top at the stoppage.
That term saw two 100-gamers open their accounts, with Mason Cox gosling for the Magpies and former Collingwood forward Jaidyn Stephenson booting North Melbourne’s second.
North’s good run continued into the early part of the third term until the Magpies truly got their game going.
The Pies piled on five unanswered goals in the second half of that third quarter as they began to bridge a big 53-point lead as the likes of Jordan De Goey and Nick Daicos did as they pleased against a hapless Kangaroos midfield.
The Kangaroos won back a few fans though in the last term as they showed some genuine fight once the sting was taken out of the game, kicking six goals to three to reduce the final margin.
AFL Nation’s Josh Jenkins believes Collingwood eased off the pressure late in what was a relatively easy win.
“We saw glimpses of the best version of Collingwood today,” Jenkins said.
“They weren’t willing to sustain it for that long though.
“It almost felt like a team that knew they were far superior and if at any stage North Melbourne got close-ish, they’d go into fourth (gear) from third to give themselves space.
“In the end, it’s a six-goal win which probably isn’t a bad effort from North.”
For the Magpies, Jordan De Goey was best afield as the gun midfielder was too big and strong for the Kangaroos on-ball as he collected 34 disposals, five clearances, 10 inside 50s and kicked a goal.
He was well supported by young gun Nick Daicos who was influential without a tag as he picked up 32 disposals, seven clearances and kicked a goal.
For North Melbourne, Nick Larkey was a threat all day inside 50 as he ended with five majors while Bailey Scott (one goal, 30 disposals) continued his strong form under Brett Ratten.
Collingwood will go in heavy favourites next week as they head to Perth to play the last-placed Eagles in what looms as their eighth-straight win.
For North Melbourne, they’ll hope to rebound at home against Essendon in somewhat of a rivalry clash next Sunday under the roof.
FULL SCORE
Collingwood: 4.3, 7.5, 13.8, 16.9 (105)
North Melbourne: 0.3, 2.8, 4.9, 10.10 (70)
GOALS
Collingwood: J Daicos 3, Mihocek 3, Cox 2, Ginnivan 2, Hoskin-Elliott 2, Johnson, Adams, N Daicos, De Goey
North Melbourne: Larkey 5, Stephenson 2, Zurhaar, Howe, Scott
BEST
Collingwood: Jordan De Goey, Nick Daicos, Josh Daicos, Brayden Maynard, Tom Mitchell
North Melbourne: Nick Larkey, Bailey Scott, Hugh Greenwood, Will Phillips
INJURIES
Collingwood: Steele Sidebottom (knee/MCL)
North Melbourne: N/A
CROWD 39,467 at the Marvel Stadium