Collingwood has got the ball rolling with a five-point win over Adelaide, but perhaps more importantly a game style Pies fans can believe in.
They did it the hard way. Having to fly-in and fly-out on gameday, while also home quarantining since Wednesday this week off the field, yet their on-field determination was even more impressive.
Coughing up a 23-point lead early in the contest to find themselves down at the 18-minute mark of the fourth quarter, Nathan Buckley’s men rallied against all adversity to deliver an important win for the club in a time of turmoil.
Jamie Elliott was the star for Collingwood, kicking a remarkable four first-quarter goals, as well as the match winner. He was one beneficiary of Collingwood finally putting some speed on their ball movement further up the field.
It was a different tale for the home crowd, a sombre mood leaving the ground and one not many thought they may have felt when Shane McAdam cooly slotted from the pocket to put the Crows up by two points with just six minutes of game time to play.
It started with fun and games for the Adelaide fans with some great scenes of Crows fans pretending to avoid touching the football, as per the South Australian health advice.
But it ended in heartbreak for the passionate home crowd, failing to will their side over the line in the close loss.
The Pies responded to their critics, a big Crow had a tough night, and Adelaide oval was the place to be on a Saturday evening again.
Here’s everything you need to know!
Pies finally get the ball moving:
All the commentary during the week was over Collingwood’s dismal ball movement in the last month, particularly their last match against Geelong.
Criticised for going too slow and appearing to refuse to take the game on, Nathan Buckley hinted today might be the day the ball drops for his team.
But even he would have been surprised at the execution from the men in black and white early on, as then slammed through five consecutive goals in the first quarter.
For the first time in a long time the Pies looked dangerous, opening the game up when they could to swiftly transition end to end.
Who knows whether it was public pressure that brought about the game style, or if it all really did just click for Collingwood on Saturday night? All that can be said is there’s something for Buckley to work with, if they can play four quarters of that brand of footy.
The Texan turns up, but with GPS off:
Taylor Walker played a blinder on Saturday evening, but it could have been ever better had he kicked a bit straighter.
Regarded as one of the best kicks in the competition, Walker was abnormally off in that regard, ending up with only 2.6.
The damage was done in the second quarter for the big crow. Entering quarter time with his team down by four goals and Walker with just the one point to his name, he broke the game open with six shots on goal.
However, only one of them was on target and another fell short, going into half time with 1.5.
The Crows fired up in that second quarter, narrowing the margin to just the one goal. But after just a five-point loss, Walker will know the game was on his boot.
Despite his struggles up forward, his influence around the ground can’t be disputed though, as ‘Tex’ continued his strong season with 21 disposals and 14 contested possessions.
Two thrillers in for the city of churches:
It’s been a big few weeks for Adelaide supporters keen to go watch their team live, with the Crows’ last two home games producing thrilling contests.
They were treated to one of the wins of the season when their boys toppled the previously unbeaten Demons by a solitary point in round ten, with the ledger now squared after going down this time to Collingwood in what was another fantastic game of football.
The Crows’ willingness to never say die, coupled with the fact they’re still a developing team, will no doubt provide more fantastic spectacles over the rest of the season.
But Adelaide fans - who saw their team win the wooden spoon last season - are certainly getting more than they bargained for with performances like this.
What’s next?
It was an impressive performance from Collingwood, one that their supporters needed to see without a doubt.
However, the big test is to come next week, with Melbourne on Monday in the annual Queen’s Birthday match.
The Demons are clearly the form team of the competition, so if Collingwood can come anywhere close, we’ll know they’re on the right track.
However, they risk losing their hard work from tonight if they get demolished by the premiership favourites in nine days time.
Despite their strong showings in the last few weeks, Adelaide now sit in the bottom four. Their game against St Kilda next week presents as winnable, and while it won’t be a season defining clash, the Crows have to at least be competitive to stay in this strong vein of form.
FULL SCORE
Adelaide: 1.1, 5.6, 8.10, 10.13. (73)
Collingwood: 5.0, 7.0, 11.3, 12.6. (78)
GOALS
Collingwood: Elliot 6, Sidebottom , Daicos , Poulter, Bianco, De Goey, Thomas
Adelaide: Seedsman 2, Walker 2, McAdam 2, Fogarty 2, Thilthorpe, McHenry
BEST
Collingwood: Elliott, Sidebottom, Pendlebury, Crisp, Maynard
Adelaide: Laird, Seedsman, O’Brien, Walker, Smith
INJURIES
Collingwood: Sier (jaw)
Adelaide: nil
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