The West Coast Eagles have lost a record tenth consecutive game but have lost few fans in the process with a fighting performance against Collingwood.
The end margin was 63 points, but that was a figure that looked likely to be much higher early in the second term with Collingwood leading by more than 40 points midway through the second term.
But the Eagles would go on to win the next quarter and a half, pushing the flag favourites as the West Coast faithful got back involved with the clash.
Collingwood ultimately put the foot down again in the final term, with a fourth consecutive defeat by 50+ points the outcome for West Coast.
But more injury carnage didn’t help.
Even before the first bounce there was injury trouble for the Eagles, with star defender Tom Barrass withdrawing due to a hip injury.
For a team already devoid of talent, to then lose Connor West (knee) and Elijah Hewett (concussion) in the first term hurt.
Shannon Hurn going down with a hamstring injury in the second quarter rang the alarm bells, making the fightback all the more impressive.
But the scoreboard shows no pictures, with West Coast now having lost 10 consecutive games for the first time in its esteemed history.
Tim Kelly led the comeback for the home side, proving one of the best midfielders on the ground and finishing with 29 disposals and nine clearances.
Fellow veterans Dom Sheed, Liam Duggan, Elliot Yeo and Andrew Gaff also played strong roles in spurring their younger teammates on to what would have been the most unlikely win.
But the Magpies flex their muscles in the last quarter and booted the final seven goals of the game.
Craig McRae’s men remain in strong form ahead of next week’s Kings Birthday clash against Melbourne, but they’re set to face that challenge without Jordan De Goey.
The star midfielder, who was unusually quiet on Saturday afternoon, caught Hewett with a flush high bump on the first term and looks set to miss at least two weeks.
More to come.
FULL SCORE
West Coast: 0.3, 4.3, 8.7, 8.9. (57)
Collingwood: 4.3, 8.5, 12.9, 18.12. (120)
GOALS
West Coast: Allen 3, Kelly, Sheed, Long, Clark, O'Neill
Collingwood: Hill 3, Johnson 3, Mihocek 3, Daicos 3, Cox 2, Harrison, Crisp, Adams, Mitchell
BEST
West Coast: Kelly, Sheed, Allen, Gaff, Yeo
Collingwood: Daicos, Mitchell, Murphy, Cameron, Hill
INJURIES
West Coast: Hurn (hamstring), Hewett (concussion), West (knee)
Collingwood: McCreery (foot), Hosking-Elliott (ankle)