Heartbreak for Magpies as final-second miss ends chaotic clash
Updated . First published at
A missed goal from Pies star Tim Membrey has ended Collingwood’s season in a heartbreaking manner with the Bulldogs winning the MCG wildcard final 14.12 (96) - 14.9 (93).
On the siren, Membrey had a chance from 40 metres out at a slight angle but couldn’t land the winner.
Bulldogs players celebrate after Tim Membrey missed a goal. AFL Photos via Getty Images
The miss means the Pies will head into Mad Monday before the Dogs play another elimination final.
Collingwood’s loss now ends the career of club legend Steele Sidebottom.
“I was turning up hoping tonight would not be (the end) but shit happens, we move on,” he told Seven post-match.
“I’m very content with my time at Collingwood, I’ve been so lucky. The next part of my life now starts.”
The intensity of the final was set early when Nick Daicos and Joel Freijah clashed early. Freijah had taken the Pies star out of bounds before standing over him, with Daicos taking exception to that.
By the end of the first quarter, the difference between the sides wasn’t clear with the Dogs leading by only one point.
At half-time, that lead had extended to 10 points despite Daniel McStay kicking three for the Pies.
The start of the third quarter marked a fourth for McStay but heading into the final term, the lead of the Dogs was still at eight points.
During the fourth quarter, the lead changed four times inside five minutes as both sides went goal for goal.
In the end Aaron Naughton’s fourth goal and the late strike from Artie Jones with just two minutes left proved the difference.
Marcus Bontempelli topped the disposals count with 32 alongside Collingwood’s Sam Swadling.
Jones was massive for the Dogs, kicking four goals and finishing with 17 touches.
“This is every boy’s dream here, you want to play finals ... Collingwood can bring a crowd and on the MCG, this is as good as it gets, isn’t it?,” an ecstatic Jones told Fox Footy.
Artie Jones celebrates kicking a goal. AFL Photos via Getty Images
“We knew Collingwood weren’t going to back down, they’re a strong pressure team and we just had to match that and do better and we just held on ... it was a good game.
“Bont’s just magical, isn’t he? He runs straight through everyone and kept giving us deep entries.”
