Sydney have come from behind to defeat Collingwood after a “seismic shift” in the third quarter of Friday night’s AFL clash at the SCG. The Magpies kicked the first five goals of the match and led by as much as 33 points during the second term before the Swans worked their way back into the contest.
The visitors closed to within two goals, and then the match completely turned when Oscar Steene hobbled off with a knee injury. Sydney star Brodie Grundy was already dominating in the middle, but with the Magpies’ only recognised ruck leaving the game, it became too much for Collingwood.
“This doesn’t look good. He can hardly put any weight on that leg,” sideline reporter Abbey Holmes said of Steene. “Left knee collapsed underneath him,” Dale Thomas added. Channel 7’s Xander McGuire reported that the Pies will be fearing the dreaded ACL injury given the nature of the incident.
Collingwood kept attacking and managed two quick goals to keep the Swans at bay, but it always felt like only a matter of time. With Grundy giving his midfielders first use, the Swans piled on four goals to flip the game on its head and take a six-point lead into the final quarter.
“Seismic shift in the third quarter,” Alister Nicholson said in commentary. To Collingwood’s credit, they didn’t go down without a fight and actually hit the front again with just over seven minutes remaining. But Sydney kept coming, and Logan McDonald put his side back in front with a brilliant snap over his head. Tom Papley then sealed the win with a trademark snap of his own.
Jamie Elliott set up a frantic final minute with a late goal, but the Swans held their nerve. Grundy finished the night with an absurd stat-line of 47 hitouts, 34 possessions, 12 clearances and a goal. “Story of the night. As soon as Steene went out of the game and even when he was in it, Grundy has been enormous,” Thomas said on Channel 7.
As well as Grundy, Nick Blakey was enormous off half-back with 39 touches, 10 marks and 893 metres gained. The win moves Sydney into the top four, while Collingwood will be left to rue what might have been without a fit ruckman. More to come on this developing story.
