DONS DOWN COLD PIES
COLLINGWOOD’S finals hopes have been all but extinguished by Darcy Parish and his Bombers in front of a world record COVID-19 crowd of 78,113 fans in the traditional Anzac Day blockbuster at the MCG on Sunday.
The Magpies have slumped to 1-5, their worst start to a year since 2005, and for outof-contract coach Nathan Buckley, the result could serve as the first nail in the coffin of his 10-year tenure as Collingwood boss.
The Bombers overcome a blistering three-goal Collingwood burst in the first five minutes to assume control. But their goalkicking issues – it was 9.10 to 10.2 at one stage – threatened to derail their hopes for a win, allowing the Magpies to get their noses in front by a point early in the final quarter.
However, rather than allow that Brody Mihocek goal to deflate their spirits after playing so well, the Dons composed
themselves and fixed their radar to pile on the next four goals to put the result beyond doubt, claiming a 24point win. The fourth of those was kicked by Parish, who continued his career-best form with a personal-best 42 disposals (17 contested), three games after registering a career-high against St Kilda, along with nine clearances, seven inside 50s, 619 metres gained, two goal assists, nine score involvements and two goals to win the Anzac Day medal.
No Essendon player has recorded more possessions against Collingwood.
It was the Bombers’ 10th victory on the most significant day of the home-and-away season since their annual fixture with the Magpies began in 1995. Collingwood still comfortably leads the ledger 15-10-1.
Collingwood threatened to put the Bombers out of their misery in quick fashion as it jumped out to a 17-point lead.
But Essendon quickly stopped the bleeding, thanks largely to the efforts of Parish, and proceeded to dominate the territory battle (17-9 inside 50s) in the opening term.