Australian Football

Match Report

Collingwood has reignited its season with a big win over Essendon in Sunday's twilight match at the MCG. The Magpies looked as good as they have at any time this year in dismantling the Bombers.

By contrast, Essendon, who were second on the ladder just two rounds ago, suddenly find themselves outside the top four after consecutive heavy losses to Hawthorn and Collingwood. Though their opponents have been of high quality in those matches, the question that will now be asked of the Bombers is whether the events of the ASADA investigation into the club is now finally taking its toll.

In Sunday's match, the Magpies jumped out of the blocks and never really allowed Essendon into the game at any stage. They led 5.3 to 0.2 at quarter time, and outscored the Dons in the remaining three quarters to run out winners by a massive 79 points. The win was set up by fine performances from Steele Sidebottom (30 touches and a goal), Luke Ball (22 possessions, one goal) and Dane Swan (30 disposals).

Jobe Watson, returning from a collarbone injury, was Essendon's best, collecting 31 touches. He received good support from Dyson Heppell (22 disposals) and Brendon Goddard (27 possessions and a goal).

The win keeps Collingwood in with a chance of making the top four. The Pies are a game and a half away from fourth-placed Fremantle and will play Sydney (away), Hawthorn, West Coast and Collingwood in the last month of the home and away season.

Essendon are fifth, half a game outside of the top four, and in the next four weeks will meet West Coast, North Melbourne, Carlton and Richmond. All four of those matches will be in Melbourne.

GOALS
Collingwood: Cloke 5; Elliot, Reid 3; Blair 2; O'Brien, Ball, Beams, Lynch, Pendlebury, Macaffer, Sidebottom
Essendon: Kommer, Bellchambers, Melksham, Hardingham, Goddard, Dell'Olio, Gumbleton

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Collingwood: Ball, Sidebottom, Shaw, O'Brien, Elliot, Pendlebury, Swan
Essendon: Watson, Heppell, Ryder, Goddard

BEST - THE AGE
Collingwood: Swan, Sidebottom, Beams, Ball, Sinclair
Essendon: Watson, Goddard, Heppell, Myers, Hooker

INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil
Essendon: Dempsey (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Tyson Goldsack substituted out for Josh Thomas in the fourth quarter
Essendon: Courtenay Dempsey (hamstring) substituted out for Leroy Jetta in the first quarter

UMPIRES: Rosebury, Donlon, Kamolins

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Fox Footy

COMMENTATORS: Anthony Hudson, Paul Roos, Jason Dunstall, Dermott Brereton, David King