Collingwood defeats Hawthorn in heart-stopper as umpiring again a key storyline at the MCG

Collingwood has pulled off another heart-stopping victory by defeating Hawthorn by four points in a tight contest at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

Craig McRae’s side started out looking the better of the two teams, picking up a 30-point lead during the second quarter.

That run was halted though as heavy rain fell on the MCG, with the contest turning into a wet slog which brought the Hawks back into it.

With the rain falling, Hawthorn managed to edge their noses in front late in the third term before Ollie Henry goaled on the siren to give Collingwood the lead at the final break.

Just as the Magpies had snatched the lead back, the Hawks started off the final term in fine fashion, booting the first two goals to lead late into the game before the momentum swung back the opposite way.

A huge final term major from Jordan De Goey helped bring Collingwood back into it until Henry again proved vital as he kicked truly after several repeat inside 50 efforts to give the Pies a lead they’d never rescind.

In the end, the Magpies held on by the skin of their teeth to win and go 7-5 on the season and sit inside the top eight.

While the obvious storyline is the close fought battle, one notable angle surrounded the umpiring, with one Sam Butler free kick in front of goal particularly irking fans and commentators alike.

AFL Nation’s Josh Jenkins called that free kick which was given against Collingwood’s Darcy Moore for contact below the knees as a “contender” for the season’s worst decision.

“My goodness, we’ve got a contender (for worst free kick),” Jenkins said.

“Butler was going down already, that’s a contender as far as I’m concerned.

“I’m sorry, that’s a terrible decision, he got there first.”

Luckily for Collingwood, that decision didn’t affect the final score line as they can thank their ability to mark inside 50 as key to victory with the Magpies leading that stat 10-3.

Another storyline surrounded the young guns of both teams, with Collingwood’s Nick Daicos (36 disposals) and Hawthorn’s Jai Newcombe (24 disposals, 12 tackles) proving their side’s best.

As the two current favourites in the NAB Rising Star race, this game will prove one that’s hard to split for voters of the award.

Eighth placed Collingwood next face their biggest challenge of the year with Melbourne awaiting them on Queen’s Birthday, while Hawthorn will also be tested when they head to Perth to take on Fremantle on Saturday.

FULL SCORE

Hawthorn: 2.2, 4.4, 8.5, 10.8. (68)

Collingwood: 5.4, 7.9, 8.10, 10.12 (72)

GOALS

Hawthorn: Lewis 4, Breust, Wingard, Macdonald, Butler, Jiath, Koschitzke

Collingwood: Henry 2, Ginnivan 2, Mihocek, De Goey, Cameron, Sidebottom, Lipinski, McCreery

BEST

Hawthorn: Jai Newcombe, Tom Mitchell, Mitchell Lewis, James Sicily, Changkouth Jiath

Collingwood: Nick Daicos, Patrick Lipinski, Taylor Adams, Jordan De Goey, Jack Crisp, Darcy Cameron

INJURIES

Hawthorn: n/a

Collingwood: Reef McInnes (shoulder)