COLLINGWOOD 3.2 12.4 18.7 19.11 (125)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 7.2 9.4 11.7 14.9 (93)
Goals: Collingwood: T Cloke 4 J White 3 A Fasolo 2 J Blair 2 B Grundy B Macaffer B Sinclair J Aish J Smith S Sidebottom T Adams T Varcoe. Greater Western Sydney: J Cameron 5 J Patton 3 J Kelly 2 C Ward D Shiel R Lobb S Johnson.
Best: Collingwood: Grundy, Cloke, Pendlebury, Treloar, Adams, Sidebottom, Sinclair, White. GWS: Coniglio, Whitfield, Cameron
Umpires: Matt Stevic, Nicholas Foot, Leigh Fisher.
Official Crowd: 13,483 at Spotless Stadium
Collingwood enjoyed one of their finest wins in the Nathan Buckley era and raised questions about the fortitude of flag fancy Greater Western Sydney with a stunning 32-point win at Spotless Stadium on Saturday.
The bookies had the Pies as $8 outsiders heading into the clash against a side that had lost only four matches this season, but their dash through the middle, defensive pressure and a break-out game from power forward Travis Cloke – who had a season-high four goals in his eighth game of the year – led to one of their best victories in recent seasons. It also maintained their unbeaten record against the expansion franchise.
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Magpies soar as Giant's stumble
Travis Cloke played his best game for the season in a 32-point demolition of GWS.
They had beaten Geelong in round nine but this was better, if for no other reason it was achieved in enemy territory and the Giants had not lost at home since round 21 last year.
"There has been a lot of work put in in the last three months," Cloke said. "We have been clicking in the last three weeks as a group.
"We had a few injuries earlier in the year, we still do. It's nice to have a win together."
Buckley said pre-match the Pies were "confident in our 22", and it was little wonder, for ruckman Brodie Grundy had arguably his finest day, humbling the Giants' giant, Shane Mumford, a man he had admired as a junior.
His ability to split the hit-outs (28 apiece) and give first use to an appreciative midfield ensured the Pies quickly rebounded after an indifferent start, and remained, mathematically at least, in the finals hunt.
The Giants remain firmly in contention for the top four but this loss could ultimately cost them a home final. Their character when under immense pressure and when the game was not played on their terms was questionable. Giants coach Leon Cameron could only lament that the Pies were "harder than us". Clearly, they were not ready having enjoyed last week's bye.
There has been much speculation about whether Cloke would fulfil his contract next year but this performance, including 12 marks, of which five were contested, was a reminder of why he was once one of the league's premier marking forwards. He was immovable at times, and the Pies were quick to look for him when he had a mismatch, as was the case in the third term when he outbodied Heath Shaw. His workload, and willingness to lead up the ground, was also impressive.
Rival forward Jeremy Cameron finished with five goals but was unable to have an influence when it counted. Skipper Callan Ward, Tom Scully and Dylan Shiel were unable to generate their customary run but Stephen Coniglio did find plenty of the ball.
While the Magpies booted the opening goal of the game, it wouldn't have taken long for the code red signal to start flashing in Buckley's coach's box. The Giants had responded with the next four goals, and began to dominate the clearances and marks, and had almost doubled the Pies in kicking efficiency.
Goals to James Aish and Cloke, the latter after an encouraging contested grab, eased the pressure on the Pies, but the Giants would still enjoy a four-goal buffer at quarter-time.
From there, it was quite extraordinary; the Pies produced a nine-goals-to-two second term.
Grundy, who later said he had been mistiming his leap in the first quarter, was pivotal. He had 12 disposals in the second term and helped the Pies have a 17-8 advantage in clearances.
Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and former Giants Taylor Adams and Adam Treloar were dominant in the midfield, while Ben Sinclair rebounded well across half-back. The Pies were tough in the contest, and a 19-9 advantage in inside 50s was crucial.
Small forwards Jarryd Blair and Alex Fasolo were lively, each booting two goals. Blair contributed a goal-of-the-round nomination when he guided the ball through from the right boundary, while Fasolo contributed a one-handed mark when he outmuscled Nick Haynes.
Brent Macaffer had the less glamorous role of negating the rebound run of Shaw, his former teammate, and had held him to eight touches by the break (and 20 for the match). He also pounced on a loose ball to snap truly, adding to the Pies' stunning resurgence and a three-goal lead at half-time.
The question then was whether the Giants were prepared to respond with vigour. It wasn't to be, with Cloke and Grundy continuing their fine afternoon, and Jesse White, another maligned figure, also in strong form.
The Pies have won three straight since their bye, and rival clubs are now likely to incorporate their game plan as part of their own when confronting the Giants, who face a searching week.
Votes:
9: Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)
8: Travis Cloke (Collingwood)
8: Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
7: Adam Treloar (Collingwood)
7: Taylor Adams (Collingwood)