Magpies count injury cost after Freo draw as Cox, Mihocek and Pendlebury face scans

COLLINGWOOD 10.15 (75) DRAW WITH FREMANTLE 11.9 (75)

KEY POINTS

THIRD DRAW OF 2024
The third draw for season 2024 – and Collingwood’s second for the year – was in many ways a win for Fremantle. They came from the clouds in the end, pulling back a four-goal deficit in the last 10 minutes, and could have pinched it if a last-ditch shot by Jeremy Sharp hadn’t slid wide. The Pies will also ask about a free kick against Nick Daicos for handing the ball back to the umpire, not his opponent, which gifted Sean Darcy a goal at a critical time. But they should really ask: why do they have to do this, to themselves and their supporters? At the end of the game, Darcy Moore quipped it was as if it wasn’t exciting for them to put a game to bed. Instead, they’re keeping everyone up at night. Moore’s opposite number, Dockers’ skipper Alex Pearce’s late goal shouldn’t be forgotten either, he emotionally pointed to the sky to acknowledge his dear friend Cam McCarthy who died earlier this month.

YOUNG MAGPIES IMPRESS AGAIN
They say that a football team can be measured by its last half dozen. Well, coming into this game, Collingwood had Wil Parker on debut, ditto Ed Allen, Charlie Dean (two games), Lachie Sullivan (two games), Joe Richards (two games) and Harvey Harrison (eight games), probably none of whom would be playing if not for injuries to first-choice players. They’ve probably lost Brody Mihocek to a recurring hamstring issue, Mason Cox is also set for scans on a knee and Scott Pendlebury has a concern with his bicep that will need scans. They couldn’t quite get the job done this time, but in Harrison and Richards, at least, they’ve found two natural footballers who will be impossible to omit on recent form. Richards, especially, is a revelation – a dual-sided, highly skilled player who wins a lot of ball for a half-forward.

LIPINSKI LIFTING
Patrick Lipinski made a splash in his first year at Collingwood after crossing from the Western Bulldogs, finishing fifth in the 2022 Copeland Trophy. He drifted to the fringe of the team last year, after two shoulder surgeries, starting in the grand final as a slightly lucky substitute. But Lipinski has enjoyed his best year so far in 2024. Rated as Collingwood’s best connector inside 50 by his coach, Lipinski was again destructive at half-forward, with a goal, three direct assists and an equal game-high eight score involvements from 20 touches. He’s playing with a confidence and flair that deserted him.

KEY STATS

Thanks everyone. That’s all we have for you tonight.

We will be back in a few hours with our AFL Saturday live blog tomorrow.

See you all then. Bye for now.

COLLINGWOOD 10.15 (75) DRAW WITH FREMANTLE 11.9 (75)

KEY POINTS

THIRD DRAW OF 2024
The third draw for season 2024 – and Collingwood’s second for the year – was in many ways a win for Fremantle. They came from the clouds in the end, pulling back a four-goal deficit in the last 10 minutes, and could have pinched it if a last-ditch shot by Jeremy Sharp hadn’t slid wide. The Pies will also ask about a free kick against Nick Daicos for handing the ball back to the umpire, not his opponent, which gifted Sean Darcy a goal at a critical time. But they should really ask: why do they have to do this, to themselves and their supporters? At the end of the game, Darcy Moore quipped it was as if it wasn’t exciting for them to put a game to bed. Instead, they’re keeping everyone up at night. Moore’s opposite number, Dockers’ skipper Alex Pearce’s late goal shouldn’t be forgotten either, he emotionally pointed to the sky to acknowledge his dear friend Cam McCarthy who died earlier this month.

YOUNG MAGPIES IMPRESS AGAIN
They say that a football team can be measured by its last half dozen. Well, coming into this game, Collingwood had Wil Parker on debut, ditto Ed Allen, Charlie Dean (two games), Lachie Sullivan (two games), Joe Richards (two games) and Harvey Harrison (eight games), probably none of whom would be playing if not for injuries to first-choice players. They’ve probably lost Brody Mihocek to a recurring hamstring issue, Mason Cox is also set for scans on a knee and Scott Pendlebury has a concern with his bicep that will need scans. They couldn’t quite get the job done this time, but in Harrison and Richards, at least, they’ve found two natural footballers who will be impossible to omit on recent form. Richards, especially, is a revelation – a dual-sided, highly skilled player who wins a lot of ball for a half-forward.

LIPINSKI LIFTING
Patrick Lipinski made a splash in his first year at Collingwood after crossing from the Western Bulldogs, finishing fifth in the 2022 Copeland Trophy. He drifted to the fringe of the team last year, after two shoulder surgeries, starting in the grand final as a slightly lucky substitute. But Lipinski has enjoyed his best year so far in 2024. Rated as Collingwood’s best connector inside 50 by his coach, Lipinski was again destructive at half-forward, with a goal, three direct assists and an equal game-high eight score involvements from 20 touches. He’s playing with a confidence and flair that deserted him.

KEY STATS

It’s the third draw of the season and both sides had so many chances across the match.

Jeremy Sharp from Freo was angry with himself after his late miss but Jordan Clark and some other teammates picked him up and told him to hold his head high, after all, his point gave his side a share of the spoils.

Craig McRae doesn’t look happy. Collingwood were well ahead with 10 minutes to go and haven’t won the match.

Collingwood surged forward but they were stopped by the Dockers.

It’s a draw.