Magpie horror: Collingwood banner rips apart in wind before grand final

A bad omen? Or merely a craft crisis?

AFL premiership contenders Collingwood were robbed of their run through the banner at the grand final after a gust of wind tore through the enormous handmade sign.

The banner ripped apart just moments before the team ran onto the MCG, leaving die-hard supporters in the black and white cheer squad horrified.

Sad strips of material blowing in the breeze were all that was left as the team thundered onto the ground.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley ran down to thank the squad members for making the sign, and hugged one woman who burst into tears.

Although the sign collapsed – the message on it still remains for the black and white army:

"We’re side by side. Through thick and thin. That’s why we’re here. That’s why we’ll win."

Follow our live blog of the game here.