The Pies survive to keep their top four chances alive … just!

The Pies survive to keep their top four chances alive … just!

The Pies Survive to Keep Their Top Four Chances Alive … Just!

Collingwood supporters could finally breathe again on Friday night, but only just. In a nail-biting contest that had the black-and-white army riding every bump, the Magpies clung to a narrow victory that ensured their top four dream remains intact.

From the outset, the clash carried the weight of September. Both sides knew what was on the line — for the Pies, a chance to stay in the double-chance conversation, and for their opponents, an opportunity to cause chaos in the race for finals. The first quarter set the tone: frantic pressure, missed opportunities, and momentum swinging like a pendulum. Collingwood, despite dominating inside 50s early, failed to convert and went into the first break clinging to a slender margin.

The second term brought little relief. Turnovers in the back half and miscommunication up forward threatened to undo the Pies’ hard work. Yet, as has become their trademark, Collingwood’s resilience shone through. Nick Daicos, despite a heavy tag, found ways to impact the contest with his run and precision kicking. Darcy Moore was a general in defence, repelling wave after wave, while Jordan De Goey provided the midfield spark that kept the Magpies competitive around the stoppages. Still, the scoreboard pressure was lacking, and by half-time, nervous murmurs ran through the stands.

The third quarter was when the game appeared to slip. The opposition lifted their intensity, capitalising on Collingwood’s sloppy ball use and punishing them on the counter. At one stage, the deficit stretched beyond two goals, and the Pies’ season looked to be hanging by a thread. But in true Collingwood fashion, belief never wavered. A brilliant snap from Bobby Hill reignited the spark, before Jamie Elliott coolly slotted a set shot under pressure to drag the margin back within striking distance.

Then came the final quarter — thirty minutes that felt like three hours. Every possession mattered, every turnover felt fatal. The crowd’s roar grew louder with each contest, and the Magpies’ leaders stood tall. Scott Pendlebury, the evergreen skipper, controlled the tempo with trademark composure, while Jack Crisp’s gut running gave Collingwood valuable territory. With just minutes remaining, Steele Sidebottom found space inside 50 and nailed a crucial goal, giving the Pies the slimmest of leads.

The dying stages were pure drama. The opposition surged forward relentlessly, peppering the goals but missing crucial chances. Twice the ball sailed agonisingly wide, and once Moore soared to take a match-saving intercept mark that drew a deafening roar. When the final siren sounded, Collingwood players collapsed in relief, knowing their season remained alive by the narrowest of margins.

For coach Craig McRae, it was a performance that underlined grit rather than polish. “We weren’t at our best tonight,” he admitted post-game, “but we hung in. That’s what finals-like football is about. You survive, you fight, and you keep your season alive.”

The Magpies now sit precariously in the hunt for a top-four finish. The challenge only gets tougher from here, but one thing is certain: they refuse to be counted out.

Collingwood survived — barely — and the dream of September glory flickers on.