It took a handful of freak, opportunistic goals and a brain fade for Collingwood to clinch an exciting 7 point win over the Sydney Swans at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday night in Round 10 action of the Australian Football League. Magpie forward and indigenous star Daniel Wells rose to the occasion of the Sir Doug Nicholls round booting 3 goals before being brought down by a serious knee injury. For the Swans, they were simply not good enough when the game was up for grabs despite a superb 6 goal haul from Sam Reid. In the closing minutes, Sydney defender Dane Rampe inexplicably gave away a 50 metre penalty on a set shot on goal by Chris Mayne. Whilst the degree of difficulty for Mayne wasn’t extreme, Rampe’s brain fade of encroaching the mark, ensured a certain goal. It was all the more telling as both sides were only separated by 2 points. Rampe’s actions are becoming a worrying trend and surely are concerning for Sydney. It follows the controversial incident a couple of weeks ago against Essendon, where Rampe shook the goalposts prior to a kick on goal after the final siren.

Dane Rampe takes a clearing mark for Sydney. Photo: Jodie Newell

The game was played in a highly contested manner. The ball was fiercely fought for in the packs around the ground. It took three telling and amazing goals from the Magpies that in the end made all the difference. Collingwood had plenty of ball inside the 50 metre arc (63-47) but due to staunch Sydney defending the Pies were unable to post clear scoreboard pressure. The three goals that made the difference were a bouncing snap from Scott Pendlebury, and two off the ground kicks by Daniel Wells and Chris Mayne. Mayne’s over head scissor like kick was incredible and Wells’s off the ground goal was a perfect example of taking a hold of any goal scoring opportunity.

Daniel Wells about to kick a goal amidst extreme defensive pressure. Photo: Jodie Newell

In the ruck Brodie Grundy absolutely dominated for Collingwood with a massive 64 hit outs to Callum Sinclair 20. Grundy’s presence made a huge difference to the Magpies around the ground with his tackling (8 tackles) and defensive marking pressure (5 marks). For Sydney Sam Reid finally showed his goal scoring capabilities booting 6 goals. Lance Franklin made a much needed return to the Sydney forward zone, booting two goals and providing much needed presence.

Brody Mihocek takes a shot on goal at the SCG. Photo: Jodie Newell

Jake Lloyd and Luke Parker worked tirelessly for the Swans racking up some 63 possessions between them. Adam Treloar and Scott Pendlebury were the standouts in the Collingwood midfield. Pendlebury’s second quarter dribble, bounce goal was the act of football genius and highlighted the incredible skill level of the current AFL game. Sydney held a slender ten point lead in the early part of the final term and could have gone further ahead but Callum Sinclair and Will Hayward missed gettable shots on goal which left the door ajar for the Magpies.

Sydney defender Aliir Aliir flies high at the SCG. Photo: Jodie Newell

The remarkable thing about Collingwood’s game was that despite the intense defensive pressure from Sydney, the Pies managed to get a hold of the ball with the smallest of opportunities. The final Collingwood goal emphasized this point. With minutes remaining Dayne Beams eked out a small kick forward inside the 50 metre arc where Chris Mayne took a tightly contested chest mark and a clear shot on goal. The Pies held a 2 point margin. Mayne’s task was made all the more easier after Rampe clearly jumped over the mark and the field umpire had no hesitation in awarded a 50 metre penalty. Mayne slotted the goal and the game was all but over.

These boys know how to play the game. Photo: Jodie Newell

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was pleased in the way his team was able to make the best of tight scoring opportunities “They (Sydney) make it really difficult for you to score freely. We would have preferred to have kicked the ones straight out in front than having to get the snags, (difficult) goals. We were able to find them (goals) when we needed to”.

Sydney coach John Longmire, whilst disappointed with the loss, was full of praise for his team “Sometimes you lose a game you don’t go backwards. We gave it a fair bit tonight. It wasn’t good enough in the end but gees I reckon we had a go. I still think we took a step forward”.

“Sometimes you lose a game you don’t go backwards” Swans coach John Longmire post-game. Photo: Jodie Newell

Next week the Sydney Swans have a super tough task when they take on AFL league leaders Geelong on the road at Kardinia Park next Saturday afternoon. Collingwood return to Melbourne to play Fremantle on Saturday.

SYDNEY                    3.1     5.1     10.2     11.7 (73)
COLLINGWOOD      1.4    5.10    7.12    11.14 (80)

GOALS
Sydney: Reid 6, Franklin 2, Fox, Papley, Blakey
Collingwood: Wells 3, Brown 2, Mayne 2, Pendlebury, Stephenson, Mihocek, Reid

BEST
Sydney: Reid, Parker, Lloyd, Aliir
Collingwood: Grundy, Treloar, Pendlebury, Wells, Mayne

INJURIES
Sydney: George Hewett (concussion), Josh Kennedy (knee)
Collingwood: Daniel Wells (knee)

Reports: –

Umpires: Dean Margetts, Robert O’Gorman, Mathew Nicholls

Official crowd: 34,649 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Moore Park, Paddington, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.