THERE was nothing pretty but plenty to like about Collingwood’s fighting nine-point win over Fremantle at the MCG on Friday night.

From the opening bounce Fremantle threw everything it had at the Pies who conceded a three-goal start early in the second term before running over the top of the visitors to win 15.13 (103) to 13.16 (94).

The win was built around a superb five-goal effort from spearhead Anthony Rocca, the sublime brilliance of Leon Davis who kicked four and the work of a midfield that is fast developing into one of the hardest running in the AFL.

While the win eventually came, there were some worrying signs early a Collingwood side that looked sluggish and dysfunctional. Most of the Docker damage was being done through the midfield by Paul Hasleby and Josh Carr who were all over their opponents Shane O’Bree and Scott Pendlebury.

With the Dockers midfield firing, the Magpie defence was having a hell of a time stopping Freo forwards Chris Tarrant and Matthew Pavlich. Nick Maxwell was moved off Pavlich 10 minutes in and replaced by the inexperienced Harry O’Brien while Simon Prestigiacomo didn’t have the motor to match the former Magpie Tarrant.

Only desperate defence, a typical snap goal from Davis and Fremantle’s inability to turn possession domination into goals kept the Pies within 10 points at the main change.

When Pavlich goaled 90 seconds into the second term alarm bells were ringing loudly in the ears of coach Mick Malthouse. Across the board his side was being out run by a Fremantle outfit that relished the wide open spaces of the MCG.

But, like it has all season, Collingwood’s defence refused to concede. Despite being bombarded, the Pies back six allowed just one mark inside the Fremantle 50 for the entire second term.

In the middle Scott Burns, Dane Swan and Pendlebury lifted their rating, Anthony Rocca busted his boiler up forward and Davis, was, well, Davis. He kicked two snap goals for the term including a ripper from 35 metres two minutes from half time. Suddenly, against the tide, the Pies were within five points.

When Travis Cloke broke an 11-minute third term arm wrestle with a long set shot goal, Collingwood had the lead from the first time in the match. Four minutes later the lead was stretched to 13 points after goals to Alan Didak and Rocca as the Pies lifted all over the field.

None more so than Davis who took mark of the night with a spectacular fly and one-handed mark at the 27-minute mark. The delirious Magpie army was even more enthused when the enigmatic forward rammed home the set shot goal, his fourth for the match, to keep the desperate Dockers at bay.

It was a theme that would continue throughout a frenetic final term. Every time Fremantle, in particular Pavlich and Tarrant, looked like threatening, the Pies stood firm. Pavlich had the chance to cut the margin to four points with a minute remaining, but his set shot, as they had done all night, sailed wide of the mark.

For the win the Pies can thank Anthony Rocca who kicked two of his five goals when it mattered, while Pendlebury, Burns, Swan and O’Bree kept the midfield wheels turning. Swan, who ended with two goals, was superb over the four-quarter journey, as was Pendlebury who worked tirelessly all night.

For the second week in a row the Pies were made to fight for four points but proved equal to the challenge. It was the type of effort that had coach Mick Malthouse beaming post game. Little wonder given his side sits firmly entrenched in the eight with a 7-3 record.

COLLINGWOOD 3.5 7.7 12.12 15.13 (103)
FREMANTLE 5.3 8.6 10.11 13.16 (94)

Goals: Collingwood: Rocca 5, Davis 4, Swan 2, Maxwell, Johnson, T Cloke, Didak. Fremantle: Pavlich 4, Mundy 2, Crowley 2, J Carr, Headland, McManus, Bell, Sandilands.

Best: Collingwood: Swan, Rocca, Pendlebury, Burns, Davis, Johnson, Lockyer. Fremantle: Hasleby, Bell, Hayden, J Carr, Black.

Crowd: 44,480 at the MCG.

Injuries: Collingwood: Heath Shaw (corked thigh). Fremantle: Nil.

Report: R Crowley (Fremantle)reported by field umpire M James for allegedly making forceful contact with SPrestigiacomo (Collingwood) while his head was over the ball in the secondquarter.

Umpires: McBurney, James, Avon