Collingwood     3.6 | 7.9 | 10.11 | 14.12.  96
Geelong             2.4 | 6.6 | 7.12 | 11.18.  84

A wounded Collingwood side has fought off a fast-finishing Geelong to record a 12 point win at the MCG.

Whilst Collingwood’s fortune, coupled with two late goals from Alex Fasolo and Scott Pendlebury, got them the win, Geelong’s woeful goalkicking in the final term cost them dearly, with numerous opportunities squandered, especially by Steve Johnson.

Collingwood appeared to be cruising before a strange substitution by Nathan Buckley coupled with injuries to Pies players allowed Geelong back in the contest

Dale Thomas enjoyed a steady return to the Pies side - http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidbrewster/

The substitution of Alan Didak for Simon Buckley early in the final term was a strange one, as both Ben Reid and Scott Pendlebury were struggling due to injury. Ultimately, Dane Swan unfortunately left the field with a hamstring injury, but this was coupled with the loss of Reid in the final term, which could have been mitigated by his substitution.

Nevertheless, Geelong’s wastefulness was all over the place. James Kelly, in his 200th game, had some terrible disposal early. Johnson was awful around goal. But the worst was Josh Hunt, who provided a constant stream of clangers, and notably conceded the late 50m penalty against Alex Fasolo which led to Collingwood taking a match winning lead.

However, the awful performances weren’t restricted to the Cats, with Collingwood’s Harry O’Brien having a shocker. Didak, despite picking up 14 disposals, was anonymous, and Marty Clarke wasn’t great.

Despite the clangers and the low quality, however, the game was one for the classics reel of great example of high-intensity footy that deserves to live on.

Votes:

3) Pendlebury

2) Selwood

1) Swan

Best:

Collingwood: Pendlebury, Swan, Shaw, Sidebottom, Beams, Jolly
Geelong: Selwood, Bartel, Stokes, Duncan

Goals:
Collingwood: Pendlebury 4, Fasolo 3, Goldsack 2, Cloke 2, Swan, Blair, Dawes
Geelong: Podsiadly 2, Duncan 2, Hawkins 2, Stokes 2, Motlop, Chapman, Stokes

Crowd:
75,650 at the MCG