Adelaide’s hopes of securing a top-four berth have suffered a setback after Collingwood defeated the Crows by 37 points in convincing fashion at Telstra Dome on Friday night.

A week after the Magpies’ chances of emulating last year’s grand final appearance were being questioned after they were demolished by reigning premiers Brisbane – the Magpies produced a devastating performance to overrun a tiring Adelaide after half-time.

While last week the Pies were made to look second-rate when the Lions slammed on eight goals to one in the first quarter, this time it was Collingwood producing a quarter of magic when they slammed on seven goals to one in the third term.

The Pies’ 15.18 (108) to 11.5 (71) victory – their fifth in succession against the Crows - now has them ideally placed to again secure a top four finish and the double chance in September, as they did last year when they made the grand final from fourth position.

And while Adelaide may have had legitimate excuses for its second half fade-out – considering the Crows had several players who came into the game battling the flu and were coming off the long trip to Perth last week – this was still a powerhouse performance from the Pies.

And had it not been for poor kicking for goal, the Pies would have embarrassed the Crows as they showed that Victoria has at least one hope in the premiership race in a season when all six non-Victorian clubs look like making the finals in the same season for the first time.

The Pies’ awesome third quarter was even more notable for the fact their forward line barely functioned in a poor first half as both sides played like bottom four sides rather than top four sides.

Just 1.5 from twelve entries inside the forward 50 was a poor return for the Pies in the opening quarter but Adelaide could only manage 2.1 from three more journeys into attack.

For most of an error-ridden first half the Crows appeared the better side but a snap from Alan Didak just a minute before half-time gave Collingwood a one-goal lead at the main break.

To that stage the only notable aspect of the game was a 22 possession first half from Paul Licuria, a fine effort considering he came into the game under an injury cloud.

But all that changed in the third term as the Magpies produced one of the best quarters of the season.

With skipper Nathan Buckley, who was well down in the first half and even spent time on the bench in the second quarter, leading the way – the Pies effectively ended the contest within the first ten minutes of the third term.

In that time they slammed on four goals as Buckley continually won the ball out of the centre and Scott Burns marked everything across half-forward.

Ruckman Josh Fraser also showed why he is becoming such a valuable player with two goals in this period while Alan Didak, Matthew Lokan and Heath Scotland also had a big impact.

The Crows did not help their cause with poor kicking out of defence and such was Collingwood’s dominance that even Wayne Carey was sent to the backline in an attempt to halt the flow.

Earlier Carey, who had showed signs of recapturing his best form in recent weeks, had been outclassed by Jason Cloke and looked to be struggling with his cut knee.

The Crows lacked options in attack all night while at the other end the Pies were able to dominate despite Chris Tarrant being held goalless by Nigel Smart.

But with Fraser, Didak and Rocca kicking nine goals between them, the Pies had no trouble kicking a winning score and could now seal the all-important double chance if they beat Sydney at the Telstra Stadium next week in a game which is likely to attract the biggest crowd ever for a game played outside Victoria.


COLLINGWOOD: 1.5 4.8 11.14 15.18 (108)
ADELAIDE: 2.1 4.2 5.3 11.5 (71)

GOALS: Collingwood: Didak 3, Fraser 3, Rocca 3, Burns, Licuria, Lokan, Lonie, O’Bree, Scotland
Adelaide: Perrie 2, Torney 2, Begley, Bode, Burton, Doughty, Goodwin, Johncock, Schuback
BEST: Collingwood: Licuria, Burns, Shaw, Fraser, Buckley, Didak, Cloke, O’Bree
Adelaide: Ricciuto, Edwards, McLeod, Burton, Torney, Perrie
INJURIES: Adelaide: Burton (jarred knee)
CHANGES: Collingwood: Swan replaced in selected side by Walker.
REPORTS: Nil
UMPIRES: Vozzo, McBurney, Rowe
CROWD: 45,367 at Telstra Dome