COLLINGWOOD has fallen four points short of Adelaide in a thrilling season opener at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
After an engaging second half where the biggest difference was three goals, the Magpies were pipped at the post by the Crows after leading by two points early in the fourth term – going down 13.12 (90) to 13.8 (86).
In a low-scoring final quarter, the visitors managed to grind out the win after the Pies wasted a few opportunities in front of goal.
The Pies got within a straight kick with two minutes remaining thanks to midfielder Scott Pendlebury, but couldn't fire the final shot as the Crows maintained possession.
Pendlebury was terrific with 29 disposals while Shane O'Bree (28) did the tough stuff with eight tackles. Dane Swan (28) was also prolific and captain Nick Maxwell (two goals) played well in a variety of roles.
Collingwood looked on song in the opening minute after winning the centre clearance and getting the ball to Travis Cloke, who marked in front of Nathan Bock and slotted the first goal of the game.
But, that's where the good fortune ended for the Pies in the first with the Crows kicking the next five.
Scott Stevens ended the quarter with two after getting the better of Simon Prestigiacomo, while Richard Douglas, Nathan van Berlo and debutant Taylor Walker all added goals as well.
Alan Didak found Marty Clarke for a much-needed reply, but the visitors had owned the quarter and held a 23-point lead at the first break.
The Pies got the first two of the second through Clarke and Leon Davis, and it was Bock that reclaimed the momentum after Cloke gave away a 50m penalty.
Davis and Tarkyn Lockyer combined to reduce the effectiveness of Andrew McLeod after the veteran Crow had 12 first-term disposals, and the result saw less of Adelaide's dictation from half-back.
Even so, the Crows held a 13-point lead at the main break. The Pies kicked five goals for the term – two coming from John Anthony, who came good against Ben Rutten – to Adelaide's 3.3.
The Pies had a new aggression and intensity in the new term and that translated to the scoreboard.
Maxwell, who started the match opposite Bernie Vince, went forward and kicked a remarkable goal over his shoulder two minutes in. Paul Medhurst, who was addressed by coach Mick Malthouse at half time, followed up before Ben Johnson attempted to make it three in five minutes but hit the post.
However, Swan, Medhurst and Maxwell ensured it was five in 15 with some straight shooting afterwards, which gave the Magpies the lead for the first time since the first term.
The Crows hit their own purple patch late in the term and reeled in an 18-point lead. First-gamer Jared Petrenko kicked a goal after 17 minutes, which was followed by majors to van Berlo and Stevens.
Adelaide's late flurry had the scores level at the final change. In the fourth, the difference remained inside one straight kick until Chris Knights goaled at the 14-minute mark.
Another debutant Myke Cook couldn't put his side further in front when he missed a shot inside red time, but Jason Porplyzia kicked accurately a minute later to give the Crows an 11-point buffer.
Pendlebury kicked a point when the ball traded ends but atoned soon after when he marked in the goal square and converted with two minutes remaining.
The Pies had one more chance when Medhurst took a shot from the arc on a tight angle, but his kick was rushed through for a point.
The Crows then got the ball into their attacking half and the Pies didn't have time to retaliate.
Collingwood now looks to next Saturday's encounter against Melbourne at the MCG.
Collingwood 2.0 7.1 12.3 13.8 (86)
Adelaide 5.5 8.8 11.9 13.12 (90)
GOALS
Collingwood: Anthony 2, Clarke 2, Cloke 2, Maxwell 2, Medhurst 2, Davis, Swan, Pendlebury
Adelaide: Stevens 3, van Berlo 2, Porplyzia 2, Douglas, Walker, Bock, Dangerfield, Petrenko, Knights
BEST
Collingwood: Pendlebury, Swan, O'Bree, Cox, Davis, Lockyer, Maxwell
Adelaide: Edwards, McLeod, Vince, Bock, Goodwin, Stevens
INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil
Adelaide: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Nicholls, Schmitt, Meredith
Official crowd: 41,591 at the MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
