The 2010’s were a decade full of highlights for Collingwood and the Black and White faithful. In his first piece for The Pinch Hitters Anthony Teuma was tasked with giving us his Top Five.
He gave us six!
Number Six: Round 17, 2019 v West Coast at Optus Stadium.
With a huge injury list and a Grand Final rematch against last seasons premiers, away, on the cards nobody expected the Pies to even get close. Even some diehards felt it. It’s always a big ask travelling west to take on the Eagles, but this seemed especially tough.
Once more, as they did time and again across the decade, Collingwood refused to read the script and went about shocking the Mighty Eagles on their home patch. In a see-sawing encounter, in the face of a hostile Optus Stadium crowd, Collingwood took it right up to their more fancied opposition.
Down by 16-points at three-quarter time in a low scoring encounter, Nathan Buckley’s men lifted themselves off the canvas and shocked the 56,000 strong crowd silent as the kept the Eagles goalless in the final term. Brody Mihocek and Jordan De Goey brought the team within reach with goals before a series of behinds gave the brave visitors a two point lead.
The Eagles had a late chance to win the game when Jack Darling had a shot from outside 50 but desperate defence saw the ball rushed for a behind and the danger averted. Collingwood then held strong for the final two minutes to record a brave a famous victory by a solitary point.
AFL 2019 – ROUND 17
Collingwood 6.1 8.3 9.6 11.12 (78)
West Coast 6.3 10.4 12.4 12.5 (77)
Goals – Collingwood: Mihocek 4; Cox 3; Phillips, De Goey 2. West Coast: Cameron 4; Darling 3; Yeo 2; Hickey, Allen, Ryan.
Best – Collingwood: Treloar, Sidebottom, Mihocek, Pendlebury, Grundy, Crisp. West Coast: Yeo, Gaff, Sheed, Cameron, Naitanui, Shuey.
Injuries – Collingwood: Moore (hamstring), Pendlebury (hand). West Coast: Cripps (abductor).
Umpires: Dean Margetts, Matt Stevic, Andrew Stephens.
Crowd: 56,251 at Optus Stadium.
Number Five: Anzac Day 2014, vs Essendon at the MCG.
As per usual Anzac Day, the AFLs biggest home and away game of the year, was another classic between the two Victoria heavy weights. In front of 91,731 fans, the Bombers jumped out of the blocks with an amazing 5.4 to 0.3 opening quarter.
Rather than wilt under the Bomber Blitz, the true fighting spirit of the boys in Black and White came to the fore in the second quarter. Led by a herculean effort from Dane Swan, the Pies produced a carbon copy of the first term and headed into the main break with scores level.
It was all one way traffic after that, with the Pies kicking six goals to two in the second half to record a comfortable victory. Swan, with 26 possessions and four goals, was a unanimous winner of the Anzac Day Medal.
AFL 2014 – ROUND 6
Collingwood 0.3 6.5 9.7 12.11 (83)
Essendon 5.4 6.5 6.7 8.12 (60)
Goals – Collingwood: Swan 4; Sidebottom 3; White 2; Elliott, Goldsack, Grundy. Essendon: Daniher, Melksham, J. Merrett, Z. Merrett, Ryder, Stanton, Watson, Winderlich.
Best – Collingwood: Swan, Beams, Sidebottom, Ball, Langdon, Lumumba. Essendon: Heppell, Stanton, Hibberd, Melksham, Howlett, Baguley.
Umpires: Luke Farmer, Mathew Nicholls, Ray Chamberlain.
Crowd: 91,731 at MCG.
Number Four: 2011 Preliminary Final v Hawthorn at the MCG.
The first of a trio of classic AFL Preliminary Finals, with the all-conquering Pies taking on the Hawks for a place in the big one. Despite having tasted defeat just twice all season it looked as though their premiership defence would end at the penultimate step when Hawthorn led by 17 points at 3/4 Time.
The soon to be announced Brownlow Medallist, Dane Swan was instrumental in a dramatic final quarter surge from the Magpies. On the back of a super effort from the 27-year old, the defending Premiers found themselves back in the contest heading into time on.
With the match on a knife’s edge Buddy Franklin looked to have given thwarted the Collingwood charge and given Hawthorn the edge when he kicked a miraculous goal. There was another twist in this tail though with Luke Ball popping up to be the hero and snapping a late winner to send the Pies in the 2011 Grand Final.
It was a magnificent example of the indefatigable Magpies fighting spirit when all seemed lost. Alas it would prove to be one last hurrah for the 2011 team, with the effort so taxing they fell at the final hurdle the following week in the Grand Final.
AFL 2011 – FIRST PRELIMINARY FINAL
Collingwood 2.3 3.5 5.6 10.8 (68)
Hawthorn 2.4 4.7 7.11 9.11 (65)
Goals – Collingwood: Cloke, Dawes 3; Swan, Ball, Davis, Jolly. Hawthorn: Franklin 3; Lewis, Mitchell, Hodge, Rioli, Guerra, Puopolo.
Best – Collingwood: Cloke, Swan, Ball, Pendlebury, Thomas, Davis. Hawthorn: Lewis, Mitchell, Burgoyne, Birchall, Hodge, Sewell.
Umpires: Simon Meredith, Brett Rosebury, Shaun Ryan.
Crowd: 87,112 at the MCG.
Number Three: 2010 Preliminary Final vs Geelong at the MCG.
After losing to them in 2007 by five points and in 2009 by 73 points, the sight of the Cats in the Prelim Final once again in 2010 Prelim ensured the Pies were red hot from the opening bounce. A dynamic first half saw them lead by 37 points at quarter time and 62 at half time to all but end the contest at the long break.
So long the Cats bunnies, pay back was sweet for the Pies as they cruised into the 2010 decider. The final margin of 41 points flattered the Cats as self preservation kicked in during the latter stages of the match with bigger fish to fry, but revenge was sweet none the less
AFL 2010 – FIRST PRELIMINARY FINAL
Collingwood 7.2 13.7 16.11 18.12 (120)
Geelong 1.1 3.5 6.10 11.13 (79)
Goals – Collingwood: Cloke 3; Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Swan, Wellingham 2; Beams, Brown, Dawes, Didak, Johnson, Macaffer, Thomas. Geelong: Byrnes, Stokes, Varcoe 2; Bartel, Johnson, Mooney, Ottens, Podsiadly.
Best – Collingwood: Swan, Pendlebury, Brown, Thomas, Didak, Johnson. Geelong: Ablett, Bartel, Johnson, Ling, Selwood, Chapman.
Umpires: Brett Rosebury, Ray Chamberlain, Shaun Ryan.
Crowd: 95,241 at the MCG.
Number Two: 2018 Preliminary Final v Richmond at the MCG.
In one of footballs shock results – to anyone other than those that are true to the Black and White, the Magpies demolished the Tigers by 39 points on Preliminary Final Friday night 2018. Richmond where the most dominant team of 2018 and the majority of neutrals thought it was a fait accompli that they not only would give the Pies a hiding but also win back to back flags.
Only problem was no one told Collingwood, or their army of fans, the script they were meant to follow. With an unstoppable Mason Cox up forward, the Pies started very well with a five goal to one first term. When the lead was extended to 44 at half time, Richmond’s 22 game unbeaten MCG streak was all but over.
In fairness the Tigers did come back in the second half but The Pies withstood the spirited challenge to advance to the 2018 Grand Final. The final siren putting an especially wide smile on the face of anybody who bleeds black and white.
AFL 2018 – FIRST PRELIMINARY FINAL
Collingwood 5.2 10.4 12.7 15.7 (97)
Richmond 1.3 2.8 6.10 8.10 (58)
Goals – Collingwood: De Goey 4, Cox 3, Crisp 2, Mihocek 2, Stephenson, Treloar, Grundy, Varcoe . Richmond: Riewoldt 5, Higgins 2, Houli
Best – Collingwood: Cox, Sidebottom, Grundy, Adams, Langdon, De Goey. Richmond: Riewoldt, Cotchin, Prestia, Rioli, Houli, Higgins .
Umpires: Brett Rosebury, Matt Stevic, Shaun Ryan.
Crowd: 94,959 at the MCG.
Number 1: 2010 Grand Final Replay v St Kilda at the MCG
After being raging favourites the week before but unable to get a result either way the 2010 Minor Premiers had to lift again for the third Grand Final Replay in VFL/AFL history. No parade, no fanfare just a race against the clock to be ready once again for their date with destiny.
Like they had a week earlier, Collingwood had the better of the early exchanges but this time there would be no let off as they came back the stronger off the two teams. Never seriously threatened at any stage the mighty Magpie machine would surge forward almost at will. With prime movers Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan too much for the Saints to handle, all roads on this day led to a 15th flag for the Pies.
When the final siren rang out on the first Saturday in October, the 56 point margin was Collingwood’s biggest ever Grand Final victory. Pendlebury was rewarded for his efforts with the Norm Smith Medal and Collingwood fans with the sight of Nick Maxwel and Mick Malthouse holding aloft the Premiership Cup. It was a moment of complete and utter joy, even if it was one week late.
AFL 2010 – GRAND FINAL REPLAY
Collingwood 3.2 6.5 11.8 16.12 (108)
St Kilda 0.2 1.8 4.9 7.10 (52)
Goals – Collingwood: Dawes, Didak Macaffer, Sidebottom, Wellingham 2; Goldsack, Johnson, Jolly, Lumumba, Swan, Thomas. St Kilda: Milne 2; Dal Santo, Gilbert, Goddard, Hayes, Koschitzke.
Best – Collingwood: Pendlebury, Shaw, Thomas, Swan, Sidebottom, Ball. St Kilda: Dal Santo, Goddard, Hayes, Gwilt, Schneider, Gilbert.
Umpires: Ray Chamberlain, Shaun Ryan, Brett Rosebury.
Crowd: 93,853 at the MCG.
Bleed Black and White? Be sure to join the conversation online by liking us on Facebook.