Desperate Magpies Give Saints No Final Quarter
Sun Herald
Sunday May 18, 2008
COLLINGWOOD got their season back on track with a desperate nine-point win over St Kilda in a cracking start to round eight at Telstra Dome on Friday night.
The Magpies matched their opponents' efficiency with the ball through great tackling and hard running, and this time ensured there would be no fade-out in the 16.7 (103) to 14.10 (94) win. Their victory avenged their last-start thumping by Hawthorn and helped the Magpies (fifth) overtake the Saints (sixth) thanks to a superior percentage. This was Collingwood's first win this season over a side in the eight and it came through great physical intensity for the duration. Previously, they were twice beaten on the back of final-quarter charges. The Saints twice closed to under two goals during the last term, but Collingwood held firm. Alan Didak's snap around the corner to start the last quarter gave him three goals, while defender Harry O'Brien rebounded well after a mediocre start to the season, and also scored one of the goals of the year. Youngster Dale Thomas played his best game of the season to finish with 21 disposals, while Leon Davis shone in the midfield with 27 touches and brilliant passing. St Kilda badly missed injured skipper Nick Riewoldt in the forward line but produced a slick start to eke out a 15-point lead by midway through the second term, before Collingwood lifted their intensity. It was the first game using the new interchange rules designed to prevent players entering the field of play until their teammates are completely off it.
© 2008 Sun Herald
