A goal to ex-Magpie Nick Davis in the shadows of the final siren has helped the Sydney Swans secure a memorable victory against Collingwood by 20 points at Telstra Dome on Saturday, 17.7 (109) to 13.11 (89).
In an exciting final stage of the match, the Magpies booted five goals to draw to within 16 points after finding themselves 46 points down three minutes into the last quarter.
Chris Tarrant booted the last three of those to end the night with five majors but Davis ensured Sydney took the four points when he made no mistake after finding space 40 meters out in the left forward pocket.
After being well beaten by Hawthorn two weeks ago, Sydney coach Paul Roos has orchestrated fighting wins over Melbourne (on Anzac Day) and Collingwood to bring his side back to a 3-3 record.
Sydney’s victory also condemned the Magpies to their third straight loss, following on from heavy defeats against the Brisbane Lions and Essendon in previous weeks.
The visitors won the game through a brilliant performance from its powerhouse midfield with Paul Williams, Leo Barry and Jude Bolton totally dominant.
This edge helped create opportunities for their forwards, Adam Goodes taking 10 marks and booting three, with Michael O’Loughlin, Barry Hall and National AFL Rising Star Adam Schneider all finishing with two goals.
O’Loughlin’s continues to take great strides in his comeback from injury, collecting nine kicks and seven marks in addition to his two goals.
Apart from Tarrant with five, Anthony Rocca was the Magpies’ only on the multiple goal-kicker with two.
The Swans made a brilliant start to lead by 17 points midway through the first quarter courtesy of a four goals in a seven minute burst after Jarrod Molloy had opened the scoring for Collingwood.
Chris Tarrant scored the last of the quarter entering time-on to help reduce the margin to just five points at the first break.
The Swans continued to come at Collingwood in the second term, Hall booting the first major of the quarter after taking clean possession from a forward pocket throw-in.
Sydney displayed tremendous courage to run with the ball and take on Collingwood’s runners, a brave tactic that unsettled the home side, which began to look increasingly uncertain when in possession.
This uncertainty translated into goals, with Sydney kicking the last two of the quarter and extending its lead to 18 points at the main break.
Whether streaming forward on the break or starting from deep in defence, Sydney’s fleet of runners consistently found space and came out of tight situations in numbers, its opponents unable to find a cohesive way through.
The third term opened with a wonderful goal to Adam Goodes, who played on and kicked truly inside 50. Anthony Rocca responded immediately for the home side, but piled on the next five to lead by 45 and seemingly have the match in hand.
In the next round, Collingwood is at AAMI Stadium to face Adelaide on Saturday, while the Swans host reigning premiers the Brisbane Lions at the SCG the next day.
COLLINGWOOD: 3.3 5.6 8.9 13.11 (89)
SYDNEY: 4.2 8.6 14.7 17.7 (109)
GOALS: Collingwood: Tarrant 5, Buckley 2, Rocca 2, Betheras, Fraser, Lokan, Molloy
Sydney: Goodes 3, O’Loughlin 3, Hall 2, Schneider 2, J.Bolton, Cresswell, Davis, Fosdike, Kennelly, Maxfield, Williams
BEST: Collingwood: Buckley, Tarrant, Rocca, Licuria, Burns
Sydney: Goodes, Barry, O’Loughlin, J.Bolton, Williams, Schneider, Saddington
INJURIES: Collingwood: Williams (concussion)
Sydney: nil
REPORTS:
UMPIRES: Sheehan, Rowe, Ryan
CROWD: 41,874
