Collingwood have moved into outright second on the AFL ladder, with Brodie Grundy starring in a hard-fought nine-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
Despite some wayward kicking for goal, the Bulldogs had their noses in front at halftime of Sunday’s clash, but they couldn’t keep the Pies at bay in their 13.4 (82) to 10.13 (73) victory.
Nathan Buckley’s men improve to a 10-3 record with the win to sit just one game back from ladder leaders Geelong.
The Magpies pulled off the win without Jeremy Howe for most of the contest, the influential defender leaving the game early in the second quarter with a calf injury.
Grundy had the measure of young opponent Tim English again, finishing with 25 possessions, 50 hit-outs and two goals.
Adam Treloar (36 disposals), Jack Crisp (33) and Steele Sidebottom (33) were also important, while Ben Reid – who came in for suspended forward Jaidyn Stephenson – kicked three goals.
Caleb Daniel was outstanding for the Dogs with 35 touches and a goal, with Jack Macrae (42) and Josh Dunkley (35) also key players.
The Pies were switched on early, Tom Phillips booting two goals as they jumped out to a 19-point lead, but the Dogs finished the first quarter strongly to lead by two points at the first break.
Luke Beveridge’s men enjoyed a period of dominance early in the second but wasted repeated inside 50s with inaccurate kicking.
Collingwood trailed by five points as the second half began but Grundy had 10 disposals, 15 hit-outs and kicked a goal as the Pies made their move.
A five-goals-to-two quarter gave them an 11-point buffer heading into the final term.
Mason Cox put the Pies up by 22 points with his second goal midway through the last quarter, with Sam Lloyd and Tory Dickson kicking the last two majors of the match before time ran out on the Dogs.