VFL: Collingwood advance to Preliminary Final.

Collingwood have advanced to a preliminary final after a commanding win over reigning premier Williamstown in the qualifying final of the Peter Jackson VFL at Ikon Park. The Pies jumped out of the blocks booting four goals to one in the first quarter and remained in control for the rest of the match winning 16.6.102 to 7.14.56.

Their only concerns are injuries to defender Jack Frost, skipper Jack Hellier and runner Ben Moloney who all failed to see out the match. Lachlan Howe and Jordan Collopy both booted three for the Magpies while Sam Dunnell was the only multiple goalkicker for the Seagulls with two.

The Magpies had many fine contributors across the park with Brent Macaffer and Collopy starring while Jarrod Witts won the ruck duels and Ryan Pendlebury and Jordan Kelly were solid in defence, for the Seagulls Tim Currie worked hard down back with Willie Wheeler and Michael Gibbons giving their all through the middle to be named in their sides best.

Collingwood began well with their ball movement and tackling pressure making life difficult for Williamstown to get anything going. The Pies defence worked hard to restrict the Seagulls to just two goals at half time as they established a match winning 35-point lead by the main change.

The sun beamed across Ikon Park in the second half as the Magpie army found plenty of voice. Collopy snared two goals in the third quarter for Collingwood as Williamstown wasted opportunities in front of goal booting seven behinds from nine scoring shots as they struggled to make in-roads into the Pie's lead.

It was to be Collingwood’s day however when Marley Williams goaled early into the final term after the ball bounced over a pack of players in the goal square and then Ben Crocker kicked truly from a sharp angle in front of the Williamstown supporter’s area in the Legends Stand.

The Seagulls booted the last goal of the match on the siren through Jack Johnstone to end a disappointing first final in their title defence. Collingwood coach Dale Tapping would be well pleased with his side's performance and they will now go into a preliminary final high on confidence with twelve wins from their last thirteen games.

Williamstown coach Andy Collins will be looking for answers during the week from his charges and hoping they can re-group and lift when they take on Sandringham in next week’s do-or-die semi-final in order to stay in the race for the premiership.

For full match details click here