This is a cracker. Yes, there’s been stoppages and little free play, but this is tense and tight and has the smell of a game that is going to remain like that all day.

Gawn is dominant in the ruck with Darcy Cameron spooked by the Demons’ ruck and more worried where he is than the ball. Gawn has dominated hit outs but, to date, the Demons have not capitalised with clearances.

My ball: Darcy Moore and Harrison Petty. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

The Demons started with an unusual initial match up of Steven May on Jamie Elliott which threatened to cost Melbourne when Elliott had a couple of early chances before a switch was made to push May over onto Mihocek.

Collingwood rotated their forwards, confusing Melbourne slightly. That meant McStay was able to find space for their first goal and Elliott was alone for the second one after Daniel Turner hedged his bets trying to cover two opponents.

Jack Crisp was dominant on a wing, while Jeremy Howe critical behind the ball.

There was a dance going on between Nick Daicos and a rolling change of Melbourne defensive midfielders as Daicos moved from on the ball to the wing, where Langdon matched up with him. Daicos moved forward. It was confusing but didn’t overly effect things.

The free kick count of 11-4 in Collingwood’s favour upset the Demons’ fans, though the review decision to deny Bobby Hill a goal from a ball deemed to have been touched on the line displeased the Magpies.

Collingwood has won 10 of the last 12 games between these teams.

Source: The Age.