"Darcy Cameron executed the perfect tap, Nick Daicos executed the perfect kick and Mason Cox executed the perfect stuff up. Sometimes in life, and in football, you just know it isn't going to be your day. And when the ball ballooned off big Mason's belly button, a bad Collingwood moon was rising. A few minutes later, Scott Pendlebury was zipping up his tracksuit top, done for the day and the year."
"He's their compass and their second coach but he also plays a critical defensive role at stoppages. Several times in the opening quarter, the Lions waltzed out the front of packs where Pendlebury would normally have been the doorman. One thing Collingwood had in their favour was precedent. So you're three goals down at quarter time, all at sea and without one of your best and most experienced players? Sound familiar?"
Mason Cox's error and a perfect tap and kick by opponents left Collingwood vulnerable early. Scott Pendlebury exited injured, removing a key defensive stoppage presence. Collingwood responded not with aggression but with a measured stabilisation and increasing pressure, converting six goals from 15 entries. Brisbane suffered injuries and a 100-metre penalty while temporarily appearing confident. Zac Bailey and Will Ashcroft later supplied crucial stoppage breaks and a long goal that shifted momentum. Jamie Elliott provided two unexpected goals and an outstanding mark, while Brandon Starcevich expressed visible frustration after conceding those moments.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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