As it happened: Magpies hold off late Saints scare to claim win in Gather Round blockbuster

An injury-depleted Collingwood have ended St Kilda’s unbeaten run in a thriller winning by just six points with the ball in the Saints’ forward line.

It took until the final quarter before Collingwood broke clear through goals to Jack Ginnivan - in his first AFL match since being suspended for the first two rounds - Ash Johnson and Bobby Hill, to defeat St Kilda, who have also been decimated by injury to key players.

But just when the game was petering out the Saints came to life, kicking the final three goals of the game to draw within a goal with 51 seconds remaining. It took a match-saving mark from Brayden Maynard inside 50 to ensure the Magpies won.

Read full match report here.

Well, the first Gather Round in the AFL comes to a close after a weekend of showstopping footy with some sizzling finishes.

We saw Essendon beat the premiership favourites, the reigning premiers claim their second demolition of the year, St Kilda experience their first loss of the season at the hands of Collingwood and Adelaide and Port Adelaide win in front of home crowds.

All in all, a pretty successful new round that’s been added to the calendar.

Thanks for joining us and see you next weekend!

G’night footy fans. Until next time.

An injury-depleted Collingwood have ended St Kilda’s unbeaten run in a thriller winning by just six points with the ball in the Saints’ forward line.

It took until the final quarter before Collingwood broke clear through goals to Jack Ginnivan - in his first AFL match since being suspended for the first two rounds - Ash Johnson and Bobby Hill, to defeat St Kilda, who have also been decimated by injury to key players.

But just when the game was petering out the Saints came to life, kicking the final three goals of the game to draw within a goal with 51 seconds remaining. It took a match-saving mark from Brayden Maynard inside 50 to ensure the Magpies won.

Read full match report here.

Collingwood have claimed the win over St Kilda in a Sunday night blockbuster at Adelaide Oval to close out Gather Round.

For three quarters it was a close affair, but the Magpies put their foot down in the last quarter and took advantage of a battle weary Saints defence.

St Kilda didn’t roll over and to their credit they kept the fight in to the finish and booted three back-to-back goals to close the margin to just 6-points.

The Magpies seem back to their late game surging ways.

Collingwood beat St Kilda 10.10 (7) to 9.10 (64).

Collingwood are set up well behind the ball and are stopping St Kilda’s advances.

The Magpies pressure has also resulted in some opposition wayward kicks - the Saints have now registered four behinds in a row.

Collingwood lead by 20-points with just under ten minutes to go.

Collingwood have opened up their margin against St Kilda, which now sits at 24-points, thanks to back-to-back goals from Jack Ginnivan, Ash Johnson and Bobby Hill.

St Kilda’s defence has held strong all day - inside 50s are 59-34 for the Pies - but is starting to wear thin as the Magpies begin to ride some momentum.

St Kilda and Collingwood have their horns firmly locked in battle as the third quarter comes to a close.

The Pies have the lead - which they’ve held for majority of the game - but it remains at just 6-points.

The stakes are set for a huge fourth quarter with just a goal in it.

Will either side be able to break the game open in its final stages or will it be a close clash right to the end?

Collingwood lead St Kilda 6.10 (46) to 6.4 (40).

Nevermind about that Collingwood highest lead - young Saint Anthony Caminiti has cut the margin back down to 2-points.

Collingwood lead St Kilda 5.6 (36) to 5.4 (34).