Collingwood is showing signs of wobbling as the AFL finals approach, a concerning trend for a team that was a flag favorite for much of the season.
The Magpies have now suffered three losses in their last four games, including a 27-point defeat to the Brisbane Lions, 14.8 (92) to 10.5 (65). This follows narrow losses to Gold Coast and Fremantle, indicating a dip in form at a critical juncture.
Lions star Logan Morris kicked an incredible six goals straight.
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A large crowd of 82,326 witnessed a game that felt like September action, but the home team didn’t deliver the desired result. The Pies were outplayed in three of the four quarters by a motivated Lions outfit.
Nick Daicos loomed as a nightmare match-up for the Lions all night.
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With their current form, the Pies are testing the patience of their supporters. Nick Daicos was a standout in a midfield that struggled, losing the clearance count by 14. Veterans Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom showed their age, though they’ve overcome similar performances before.
Jordan De Goey was substituted out midway through the third quarter in his first game back since round eight. He was managed on minutes, with Bobby Hill coming into the side. Hill managed a goal from a spectacular play but contributed little else. Some fans may find solace in the fact that the team experienced a similar dip in form during their 2023 premiership run, particularly after an upset loss to Hawthorn two years ago when Nick Daicos suffered a fractured leg.
While the team is in better shape now, the prospect of securing a home qualifying final is no longer a certainty.
