AFTER a fairly lean pre-season for Collingwood, they opened their 2008 Premiership Season with a win over the Dockers at the MCG.
Big forward Anthony Rocca stared for the Pies kicking six goals including three in the final quarter to get his side home. He was backed up well by Didak and Davis kicking five goals between them, with young Dale Thomas chipping in for two himself. With only six points in it at the final change, Collingwood kicked six goals to three in the last to run away winners by 26 points.
The downside for the Magpies was the shoulder injury to Sean Rusling who went down after a heavy clashed with Fremantle’s Antoni Grover. Not good news for Rusling who has already had two shoulder reconstructions.
Collingwood – 3.3 – 7.6 – 10.10 – 16.15 (111)
Fremantle – 3.1 – 7.2 – 10.4 – 13.7 (85)
Goals
Collingwood: Rocca 6, Didak 3, Thomas 2, Davis 2, Cloke, Lockyer, Medhurst.
Fremantle: McPharlin 3, McManus 2, Headland, Farmer, Mundy, Pavlich, Crowley, Mark Johnson, Bell, M Carr
Best
Collingwood: A Rocca A Didak D Swan H Shaw L Davis R Shaw. Fremantle: L McPharlin D Mundy P Bell D Headland A Sandilands M Pavlich.
Injuries
Collingwood: S Rusling (shoulder).
Fremantle: H Black (blurred vision).
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: S McLaren R Chamberlain C Kamolins.
Crowd: 45,383 at MCG.