88,362 packed into the MCG to watch two of the leading premiership contenders battle it out on the big stage and all left with two words on their lips.
Nick Daicos.
For Collingwood fans it was in elation, for Blues in despair. Daicos was everywhere and was already the Magpies’ best player before kicking the game-winning goal with a fabulous snap in the final minute of the enthralling contest, seeing his side claim a famous six-point win.
In a clash that saw almost a dozen lead changes, Collingwood led for only two more minutes of the clash than Carlton, but held the advantage when it counts.
We've graded every player below.
COLLINGWOOD
Nick Daicos: A+
Who else but the famous Daicos name to win it for Collingwood against the old archrivals? Prior to that, a typical Nick Daicos performance. Was everywhere, kicked the ball sublimely and was involved in so much of what the Pies did going forward.
Scott Pendlebury: A+
Went into the midfield when his side was in dire straits early and provided a calming head. Wound back the clock.
Jack Crisp: A-
Gerard Healy told AFL Nation pre-game that for Collingwood to win, Crisp would likely have to be in the votes. He wouldn’t be far off and had the most contested possessions for his side.
Pat Lipinski: A-
Earmarked for more midfield time this weekend with the Magpies’ outs and Lipinski didn’t let his side down.
John Noble: A-
As tough as anyone on the MCG and was third for Collingwood for metres gained. Was a serious problem for Carlton and probably a mistake from the Blues’ coaches box.
Lachie Sullivan: A-
Started as the sub but came on in the second term for a concussed Beau McCreery. Genuinley swung the game in the favour of the Magpies and his first kick, first goal is one to remember. A game-high eight score involvements from just 10 touches.
Jeremey Howe: B+
Involved in most things Collingwood did coming out of defence and enjoyed a game-high six rebound 50s.
Darcy Cameron: B+
An intriguing battle against Marc Pittonet, hard to split the two in the immediate aftermath. In combination with Cox, the Pies probably got the chocolates in that department.
Darcy Moore: B+
Probably won the battle against Charlie Curnow but several disposal and positioning errors stood out. Became much more noticeable in the fourth term and finished with the most intercepts on the ground.
Josh Daicos: B+
Jamie Elliott: B-
Had some poor moments with ball in hand but a typical Elliott performance outside of that. Especially dangerous against Zac Williams.
Brayden Maynard: C+
Mason Cox: C+
Not a four-quarter performance by any stretch but played his role across the contest.
Billy Frampton: C+
Beaten by Harry Mckay for most of the night but had some big moments late.
Will Hoskin-Elliott: C+
Bobbed up in the final term with a brilliant goal and one of the better behinds you’ll ever see. Largely quiet outside of that.
Oleg Markov: C
Brody Mihocek: C
Did well to keep Jacob Weitering from having a large say on the contest, but didn’t offer much himself.
Harvey Harrison: C
Rotated at half-forward and kicked a goal but didn’t have a say on the contest.
Bobby Hill: C
Put the Magpies in front with the goal of the game from the boundary early in the fourth quarter. He’d been threatening to do it all game.
Isaac Quayonor: C-
Lachie Schultz: C-
Looked like he was starting to find his feet as a Magpie until a disaster of a final quarter. He’ll be thankful an off-the-ball brain fade didn’t cost Collingwood a goal in such a close game.
Steele Sidebottom: C-
How the 33-year-old runs out the season will be an intriguing watch. Was more of a liability on Friday night, but got better as the game wore on.
Beau McCreery: N/A
Was lucky to not be knocked out when copping a stray knee in the second term. Made a positive start to the contest but now won’t play until at least Round 10.
CARLTON
Nic Newman: A+
A clear team-high nine intercepts. Was everywhere he needed to be and tough when the occasion called.
Harry McKay: B+
His three goals in the first term could be put down to cheapies, but there was nothing superficial with the rest of McKay’s game.
Blake Acres: B+
A whopping 10 clangers, which is disappointing after Acres shaped as the game-breaker early in the contest.
Tom De Koning: B+
Tied in well as the third forward but didn’t get maximum bang for buck inside 50 until the fourth term when he booted two massive goals.
Sam Walsh: B+
Stuffed the stats sheet but didn’t break open the game in the manner he could have with those figures. Also let Nick Daicos get goal-side in that crucial contest. Alas, certainly in the top handful of midfielders on the ground.
Marc Pittonet: B+
Spent much of the first term off after copping what looked to be a broken nose, but returned to be one of the Blues best.
Adam Cerra: B+
Tidy in his first game back from a hamstring concern.
Matt Owies: B+
One of Owies’ best games for the season and capitalised on the good work higher up the field.
George Hewett: B
Took responsibility for Nick Daicos on multiple occasions but struggled to contain the young superstar. Contributed with his own performance however, finishing with six clearances.
Charlie Curnow: B-
Not as impactful as his twin tall in McKay, but few were on Friday night. Took the most contested marks of anyone on the ground.
Elijah Hollands: B-
Lewis Young: B-
Had a couple of big one-on-one wins and
Jordan Boyd: B-
Punched above his height and rarely made a mistake.
Alex Cincotta: C+
Handled the massive occasion well in his recall to the senior side.
Lachie Cowan: C+
Matt Cottrell: C+
One of a number of Blues who couldn’t have a say on the outcome until he showed nerves of steel and slotted a famous set shot late.
David Cuningham: C+
Got better as the game went on in his return to the seniors.
Patrick Cripps: C
Collingwood’s midfield issues left the contest all set up for Patrick Cripps to dominate, but the Blues skipper would be disappointed with what he achieved on Friday night. Only three touches when the game was on the line in the final term.
Jacob Weitering: C
Spent most of his time minding Brody Mihocek but couldn’t have the influence going the other way that he would have liked.
Corey Durdin: C-
Orazio Fantasia: D+
His moment came with a final-term set shot and he couldn’t make it count. Doesn’t look to be bringing a lot to this Carlton side.
Zac Williams: D
Subbed off with a hamstring concern but looked to be a liability for much of the contest before that. Simply had no idea how to contain Jamie Elliott.
Matthew Kennedy: N/A
Started as the sub.