Collingwood has scored a thrilling five-point win over the Adelaide Crows at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night. The determined Magpies outfit was behind all night and trailed the Crows by a point with seconds remaining before a quick break led to a Chris Tarrant mark – the star forward going back and coolly converting after the siren to secure the 18.16 (114) to 16.13 (109) win.
The situation looked grim for the Pies early with the Crows dominating around the stoppages and moving the ball quickly into their forward 50 where Wayne Carey and Ronnie Burns lurked dangerously.
Crows ruckmen Matthew Clarke and Rhett Biglands were outstanding for Adelaide – gaining 17 hit-outs to Collingwood’s three – to give their on-ball brigade first use of the ball for much the first quarter.
Captain Mark Ricciuto provided the drive with nine early disposals and both Carey and Burns made the most of their opportunities – finishing the first term with two goals apiece.
Collingwood was 25 points down and in need of some inspiration as the second quarter got underway.
Tarrant got the ball rolling with a goal inside the first minute and followed it up with another just minutes later. Shane Woewodin and Nathan Buckley lifted in the Pies’ midfield and when Alan Didak slotted his first major late in the term the deficit was back to three points.
It was left to Carey to save the Crows from a goalless quarter with his third major for the night giving Adelaide a nine-point break at half-time.
Adelaide wrestled back the momentum early in the third – pushing its lead back out to 27 points before Collingwood regrouped and came at the Crows once more.
Woewodin was again the catalyst for the Pies – gathering 10 possessions for the term and he was ably assisted by Paul Licuria who exploded into action for 11 third-quarter disposals.
The Crows led by 11 points at the final break and looked to have the game on ice when an Ian Perrie point gave them a 23-point break nine minutes in.
However, Collingwood refused to go away with Ryan Lonie kicking two goals in as many minutes to put the Pies within reach.
Adelaide had slowed to a crawl and when Shane O’Bree bobbed up with his first goal and the Magpies led by a point and had the momentum.
A Ricciuto goal evened the score and when Andrew McLeod kicked a vital point in the last minute of play the Crows looked home.
However, a quick kick from a throw-in on the wing was swallowed up by Tarrant 30 metres out on a slight angle. He made no mistake with his kick after the siren and Collingwood had sealed a miraculous win.
ADELAIDE: 7.3, 8.7, 12.10, 16.13 (109)
COLLINGWOOD: 3.2, 7.4, 11.5, 18.6 (114)
Goals: Adelaide: Carey 4, Burns 4, Ricciuto 3, Ladhams 2, McLeod 2, Stenglein. Collingwood: Tarrant 4, Didak 2, Woewodin 2, Rocca 2, Lonie 2, Buckley, Fraser, Williams, Licuria, O’Bree, Burns.
Best: Adelaide: Ricciuto, Goodwin, Stenglein, Carey, Burns, Edwards. Collingwood: Woewodin, Licuria, Tarrant, Buckley, Lokan, O’Bree.
Crowd: 44,706
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: McLaren, Morris, Nicholls.
At AAMI Stadium
