Adelaide has survived a second half comeback from Collingwood to win by 4 points at the MCG on Saturday. The Crows dominated the first quarter, before the Magpies hit back in the second and third quarters and with the scores level at the last change the the Crows kicked the first two goals in a low scoring final term and held on to win 13.12 (90) to 13.8 (86).
After Travis Cloke kicked the first goal of the game inside the first minute, the Crows took control, winning plenty of the ball through the middle of the ground. Scott Stevens was the main target up forward and his two first quarter goals helped Adelaide to a 23 point lead at the first change.
The Magpies were right back in the game after quarter time with Marty Clarke kicking his second and some clever work from Leon Davis brought the deficit back to just 11 points. Travis Cloke then gave away a 50 metre penalty to put Nathan Bock within sight of goal. When John Anthony kicked his second goal for the term just before half time Adelaide’s lead was just 13 points.
Collingwood click into another gear in the third quarter and slammed on five unanswered goals to get out to an 18 point lead. The Magpies looked like they were about to run away with the game, but the Crows rallied and goaled through lively first gamer Jared Petrenko and then again though Van Berlo and Stevens to tie the scores at 3 quarter time.
It took 14 minutes for the first goal in the final term, with both teams looking tired. Young Chris Knights found space in the middle of the ground and goaled from outside 50 to put the Crows in front. Dale Thomas almost had a miricle goal from the boundary but it was adjudged out of bounds and was called back. Youngster Mike Cook had a chance to seal the game but missed from close range, but Porplyzia didn’t make a mistake when he marked straight in front and the Crows had an 11 point lead. The late goal from Pendlebury game the Pies a glimmer of hope but the Crows held on for a gutsy away win.
COLLINGWOOD: 2.0, 7.1, 12.3, 13.8 (86)
ADELAIDE: 5.5, 8.8, 11.9, 13.12 (90)
GOALS
Collingwood: Cloke 2, Anthony 2, Clarke 2, Medhurst 2, Maxwell 2, Swan, Davis, Pendlebury
Adelaide: Stevens 3, van Berlo 2, Porplyzia 2, Walker, Dangerfield, Douglas, Bock, Petrenko, Knights
BEST
Collingwood: Pendlebury, Swan, Cox, Clarke, Thomas, O’Bree
Adelaide : Edwards, Vince, Goodwin, van Berlo, Bock, McLeod, Knights
INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil
Adelaide: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: M.Nicholls, Schmidt, Meredith
CROWD: 41,591 at the MCG