Collingwood remains on top of the ladder after defeating Sydney 77-48 in a gritty encounter at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
The game exploded out of the blocks from the outset, with the Swans targeting star Magpie Nick Daicos physically as Ryan Clarke was set the task of tagging the half back.
While the Swans signalled their intent, it was Collingwood who held sway in the opening term, kicking three goals to one as they dominated field position.
Just as the Magpies looked to get on top, Sydney were everywhere in the second term as they clicked into gear, kicking four goals to one with the ball now living at their end.
Taking an eight-point lead into half-time, the Swans again looked dangerous in the third but began to shoot themselves in the foot as they were wayward in front of goal, particularly with set shots.
Unfortunately for the Swans, they had to get on top of the Magpies when they had the chance as Collingwood started to run over the top late in typical fashion.
After leading by five points at three-quarter time, Collingwood went on to kick five goals to one in the last term as they ran away 29-point winners.
In a game without many standouts, Collingwood forward Brody Mihocek was able to break the game open inside 50 as he kicked a career-high five goals including a miraculous bicycle kick late in the last term.
You just have to see it to believe it.
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) May 7, 2023
BRODY MIHOCEK YOU DID NOT! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/kaR5d5Unlw
Down back, Isaac Quaynor was influential with 22 disposals and nine marks, while Scott Pendlebury (31 disposals) had plenty of it after returning from an eye injury.
For Sydney, Errol Gulden (37 disposals), Luke Parker (34 disposals) and Callum Mills (31 disposals) helped the Swans control the footy for most parts as they won the overall disposal count 432-354 as they tried to methodically pick apart Collingwood’s defence.
AFL Nation’s Scott Lucas believes Sydney’s inability to convert chances into goals is what cost them a chance of competing late.
“It was an arm wrestle for three quarters and then Collingwood took over,” Lucas said.
“But I think there’s a lot the Swans can take from this game … it was just that last kick inside 50, they didn’t get rewarded for their effort.
“They had some really nice build-up play and their kicking for goal was just diabolical, 6.12 says it all.
“When you get the run of play you have to make the most of your opportunities or else you just can’t build pressure on the opposition.”
John Longmire also would have been pleased with Clarke’s tagging effort as the younger Daicos brother was held to 25 disposals.
For the Magpies, they’re now 7-1 and sit a game clear on top of the ladder, while Sydney lingers in 11th with a 3-5 record as they rue multiple tight losses earlier in the season.
Remarkably, Collingwood’s fixture starts to open up for them after a tough start, with GWS their next opponent at the MCG before Carlton, North Melbourne and West Coast await.
For Sydney, they’ll go in favourites next Saturday when they host Fremantle at the SCG.
FULL SCORE
Collingwood: 3.5, 4.6, 6.9, 11.11 (77)
Sydney: 1.2, 5.8, 5.10, 6.12 (48)
GOALS
Collingwood: Mihocek 5, Frampton, De Goey, Elliott, Ginnivan, Hoskin-Elliott, Johnson
Sydney: McDonald, Papley, Hayward, Clarke, McLean, Sheather
BEST
Collingwood: Mihocek, Quaynor, Pendlebury, Noble, Adams
Sydney: Gulden, Parker, Mills, Warner, Fox
CROWD: 71,463 at the MCG