COLLINGWOOD 6.4 9.7 12.12 17.14 (116)
BRISBANE LIONS 2.1 3.7 7.9 8.10 (58)

A hard working Collingwood outfit has been able to account for Brisbane by 58 points.

The Magpies’ win was set up in a big first quarter where they kicked six goals to two, from there the Pies were able to continually increase their lead over the remaining three quarters.

Collingwood were able to control most of the game, their midfield out classing Brisbane’s in a powerful performance. This gulf in midfield class lead to problems for the Lions up forwards, who couldn’t generate anywhere near enough chances in front of goal.

Nathan Buckley speaks to the players - http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidbrewster/

However it is not all smiles for Collingwood, as key defender Nathan Brown was subbed out having re- injured the knee he has only just had reconstructed. Brisbane was also hit with injury as impressive Irishman Pearce Hanley was subbed off at half time with a hamstring.

The game began perfectly for the Pies as a quick clearance and a mark leading to a Travis Cloke goal in the first 30 seconds. From there Collingwood went on to kick the next four and create a significant lead, finishing the quarter 27 points ahead. Steele Sidebottom led the opening quarter blitz with 15 disposals.

Collingwood’s dominance continued into the second half just as in the first they were able lock Brisbane in their back half. Their great forward pressure made it very difficult for the Lions to hit targets.

In the second half of the quarter the momentum swung as the Lions were able to lift their efforts however Brisbane was unable to convert.

After half time Brisbane came out with renewed intensity, they were able to move the ball better and this time convert their opportunities. Despite this it was Collingwood’s class that prevented the Lions from doing any serious damage, typified by Dane Swan who went forward and had an immediate impact with two goals.

The star for Collingwood was Dane Swan. Not only was Swan able to gather his usual 34 disposals but he kicked two goals. Andrew Raines was moved from Scott Pendlebury in order to quell Swan’s influence, and he did a great job until Swan was moved to the  forward line.

Raines clearly looked uncomfortable and Swan took advantage, quickly gaining three shots at goal. His two majors came at a point in which Brisbane were attempting to build momentum for a potential comeback, by the time Swan was finished, Raines had been moved out of defence and the game was once again over.

Swan was joined by Steele Sidebottom who had a game high 38 disposals, and eight clearances. With the loss of Luke Ball the Pies are looking to the next tier to fill the gap and it was Sidebottom who stepped up tonight.

Finally there was Heath Shaw, who was superb off the half back line. His run and carry cut the Lions up all night and he was still running harder than anyone else with only a few minutes left in the last quarter. He finished with eight bounces to go along with his 28 disposals

For Brisbane, Jack Redden excelled in a team that that didn’t have many winners across the board. He led the way in the midfield with 28 possessions five clearances and eight tackles. He had support from Daniel Rich who worked hard both offensively and defensively gaining four  inside 50s, six rebound 50s and four clearances. Matt Maguire also held his own against Travis Cloke, keeping him to two goals with eight rebound 50s himself.

 

VOTES
1) Dane Swan
2) Heath Shaw
3) Steele Sidebottom

GOALS

Collingwood: Goldsack 3, Cloke 2, Sidebottom 2, Sinclair 2, Swan 2, Wood 2, Didak, Keeffe, Shaw, Wellingham
Brisbane Lions: Brown 2, Karnezis 2, Merrett, Black, Polec, Rich

BEST
Collingwood: Swan, Sidebottom, Shaw, Pendlebury, Blair
Brisbane Lions: Redden, Rich, Maguire, Black, Hawksley

INJURIES
Collingwood: Dawes (virus) replaced in selected side by Yagmoor, Brown (knee)
Brisbane Lions: Hanley (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Nathan Brown replaced by Peter Yagmoor in the second quarter
Brisbane Lions: Pearce Hanley replaced by Dayne Zorko at half-time

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Donlon, Kamolins, Armstrong

Official crowd: 27,926 at the Gabba