The biggest weather problem for Geelong on Friday night turned out to be Hurricane Brodie.
Collingwood’s All-Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy continued his outstanding season in the qualifying final at the MCG, taking full toll of the Cats’ risky late change.
With wet conditions forecast, Geelong pulled out frontline ruckman Rhys Stanley and brought in midfielder Sam Menegola.
That meant Mark Blicavs had to shoulder the ruck duties, meaning he could not help out in defence.
Right from the start it was clear Grundy was going to have a big night and the selection gamble was going to hurt the Cats.
As Collingwood took control in the first quarter, Grundy had 10 hitouts to Geelong’s three.
But what makes Grundy especially damaging is his mobility and work at ground level, effectively making him an extra midfielder for the Magpies.
His statistics summed up another outstanding performance – 48 hitouts, 21 disposals and 15 contested possessions.
And given Collingwood’s injury woes, they needed their stars such as Grundy to shine.
By midway through the third term, they were down to two fit men on the bench.
Jordan De Goey went off in the second term with hamstring tightness – a huge blow given this was his first game back after more than a month out with the same injury.
Levi Greenwood also was out of action thanks to a knee injury in the third term.
Geelong were pressing 21 minutes into the third term and only trailed by 19 points.
It felt a lot closer.
Then captain Scott Pendlebury stepped up with a booming snapped goal that stopped the Cats dead in their tracks.
Rewind the video – there’s the handball to Pendlebury from Jaidyn Stephenson, who was on the end of a deft ruck tap.
No prizes for guessing who won that critical ruck duel.