VFL: Collingwood back in the eight

Collingwood jumped back into the Peter Jackson VFL top eight after defeating Coburg by 39 points in front of a good crowd at Piranha Park in round seven.The Pies were always in control and a blow-out threatened when their lead got out to 53 points late in the third quarter but Coburg fought the match out eventually going down - 18.13.121 to 11.16.82.

Pie’s full forward Michael Still booted a game-high four goals for the third week in a row, receiving good support from busy pair Tim Broomhead (41 disposals) and Patrick Karnezis (31) who each kicked three goals while Ben Kennedy (38) and Ben Moloney (27) provided plenty around the packs. Coburg was well served by Nathan Blair who battled hard in defence; Tom Gleeson (19) was lively around half-forward with two goals while Errol McConnell (8 tackles) and Daniel Venditti (35) worked tirelessly till the end.

Collingwood had a number of AFL listed players returning in their team including Ben Reid. Reid (15 disposals, 6 marks) moved well in defence playing the first three quarters before being rested while Clinton Young and Sam Dwyer, who both started on the bench, had an impact when coming on.

The home side managed to stay in touch with the Pies early, trailing by 21 points at half-time. Fans in the terraces watched on in the cool conditions with most of the play on the outer side in the first half.

Collingwood's run and spread from half-back through Reid and Tony Armstrong (29 touches) was damaging providing opportunities for forwards Brenden Abbott and Corey Gault who both capitalised in the second term. The battle of the bigmen was hard fought with Coburg’s Tom Goodwin and Mark Orr marking well around the ground while the Pies Mason Cox won the hitouts with 31.

Collingwood put the match out of reach in the third quarter booting seven goals with the wind to the Lions three, Still was the star with three of his own while the likes of Broomhead and Karnezis found plenty of the sherrin. The skies darkened as players broke from their huddles for the final term with Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley watching on from the back of the stand.

Coburg coach Peter German would have been pleased with his side's endeavour in the final quarter outscoring the Pies with eleven scoring shots to five, Collingwood only improving their half-time lead by 18 points by full time.

The Pies have now won four-in-a-row and sit a game clear inside the eight. They meet ninth placed Casey Scorpions away in what looms as an important round eight clash -  a win there could see them entrench themselves in the eight.

Coburg is back at home on the Monday for the Queen's Birthday clash against the Northern Blues. It's a match both sides will fancy their chances in and it should be keenly contested.

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