Australian Football

Match Report

Collingwood's run of losses has extended to six as the Magpies unexpectedly succumbed to Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday afternoon. The Pies got off to a poor start, recovered to be within eight points at the last change but then fell away badly to go down by 37 points. Collingwood's early defeats in the run of six were narrow and against very good opposition but the Magpies' confidence has clearly waned as the losses have mounted. The Demons, in contrast, looked as confident as they have for some weeks and they have now recorded six wins for the year, two more than in 2014. 

Melbourne drew first blood via Bernie Vince at the six-minute mark and when Jesse Hogan followed up with another goal four minutes later, the Demons led by 13 points. Alex Fasolo kicked the first for the Magpies at the 13-minute mark, but Jeff Garlett and Hogan added two further majors for Melbourne over the next 15 minutes to take a three-goal lead into quarter time. 

The Magpies turned things around in the early stages of the second term and goals to skipper Scott Pendlebury, Fasolo and Travis Varcoe saw them take the lead half way through the quarter. But the tide turned back Melbourne's way in the second half of the term. Garlett kicked his second at the 18-minute mark and when Aaron Vandenberg kicked his first at the 26-minute mark, the Demons led by 11, and took that margin into the long break. 

Jesse Hogan kicked his third to kick off the third term, giving Melbourne a break of three goals. Jarrod Witts responded for the Pies but when the next two majors were scored by Demons Vince and Jack Watts, the margin was suddenly out to 23 points. Watts' goal seemed to spark the Magpies into action. They held Melbourne scoreless for the remainder of the term and added 2.3, the goals going to Fasolo and Taylor Adams, to be within eight points at three-quarter time. 

The last break came at the wrong time for Collingwood. When play resumed, the momentum was entirely with the Demons. The Pies added only two behinds for the term while Melbourne peppered the goals. Vince, James Harmes, Nathan Jones and Jeremy Howe all registered majors seven other shots sailed wide as the Demons powered away to win by 37 points. 

Vince was outstanding for Melbourne, with 30 possessions and three goals, while Nathan Jones (26 disposal and a goal) was also excellent. For Collingwood, Dane Swan (36 touches and six marks) and Adams (26 disposals, seven tackles) were among the better players.

Melbourne jumped over Essendon into 14th place with the win. The Demons will play North Melbourne on Sunday at the MCG. Collingwood, in 11th place and six points away from the eight, takes on Carlton at the same venue on Saturday. 

GOALS
Collingwood: Fasolo 3; Pendlebury, Varcoe, Witts, Adams
Melbourne: Vince, Hogan 3; Garlett 2; Vandenberg, Watts, Harmes, Jones, Howe

BEST - THEAGE.COM.AU
Collingwood: Swan, Fasolo, Varcoe, Williams, Adams
Melbourne: Vince, Jones, Watts, Viney, Gawn, Jettas

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Collingwood: Swan, Adams, Sidebottom, Scharenberg, Langdon
Melbourne: Vince, Jones, Gawn, Viney, Garland, Watts, Cross

INJURIES 
Collingwood: Nil
Melbourne: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Jamie Elliott replaced Paul Seedsman in the third quarter.
Melbourne: James Harmes replaced Viv Michie in the third quarter.

UMPIRES: Donlon, Kamolins, Jeffery

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Fox Footy

COMMENTATORS: Anthony Hudson, Dermott Brereton, Mark Ricciuto, Cameron Mooney

COMMENTATORS: Eddie McGuire, Peter Daicos, Tony Shaw, Peter Helliar (Press Red For Ed)