Collingwood v West Coast
Semi-Finals 2012
COLLINGWOOD 3.4 4.5 8.10 10.13 (73)
WEST COAST 5.1 6.4 7.6 9.6 (60)
This, and other obvious statements are available thanks to one Brian Taylor of Channel 7. Collingwood, however, managed after a stutter last week to get the word tough truly defined to defeat West Coast by 13 points at the MCG. Dale Thomas provided the flair needed, booting 3 consecutive goals in the third to really swing the momentum.
Early play, however, suggested that the Eagles would move through to the third week. West Coast marched out to a four-goal lead in the second term as Collingwood struggled to enter their forward 50. Time and time again the Eagles would pick off an inside-50 and send it flying down the opposite wing.
One of the early successes for Collingwood was taken away with controversy. Shannon Hurn attempted to rush a behind but was not ruled, before Andrew Krakouer sharked the football to kick Collingwood’s first. However, the video replay led to a point being awarded after reviews decided the ball had crossed the line despite no conclusive camera angle.
Despite these early difficulties, Collingwood fought hard to rally. The midfield of Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury and Dayne Beams used their skill to begin shifting the midfield momentum. However, it was the all-team, all-ground pressure that Collingwood put on the Eagles that saw them push back, with the Pies racking up tackle after tackle.
Finally, in the third term, the Eagles broke open. Thomas’ three goals gave Collingwood the breakthrough as they took the lead for the first time. West Coast tried to push back, but the continuation of the hard-tackling, high-pressure game of earlier meant that the Eagles could not find the space to really challenge again for the rest of the match.
Collingwood take on Sydney on Friday night at ANZ Stadium.
GOALS
Collingwood: Thomas 3, Swan 2, O’Brien, Pendlebury, Jolly, Blair, Goldsack
West Coast: Hill 2, Darling 2, Kennedy, McGinnity, Kerr, Cox, Naitanui
BEST
Collingwood: Reid, Jolly, Pendlebury, Thomas, Swan, Johnson, Toovey
West Coast: Gaff, Kerr, Cox, Glass, Mackenzie, Priddis
Crowd
65,483 at MCG
