His brother Josh was nearly pretty much as good with a career-best 33 touches to make sure Collingwood took again first place on the ladder.
Adelaide have now misplaced 5 of their six matches away from Adelaide Oval, however proved as soon as and for all they’ll carry out exterior of South Australia – and could be headed again to the finals for the primary time since their notorious 2017 grand last defeat.
Taylor Walker acquired the Crows to only a level down with three minutes on the clock.Credit score: AFL Images
Purple-hot captain Jordan Dawson and evergreen ahead Walker impressed the Crows’ second-half assault, as did super-sub Ned McHenry, who got here on at half-time rather than injured key defender Nick Murray (hamstring).
Matthew Nicks’ males have re-emerged as finals contenders this 12 months after a bleak few seasons however might want to appropriate their away file to seal their finals berth.
The match additionally marked Jeremy Howe’s long-awaited return from his damaged arm, and he slotted in seamlessly, amassing 20 disposals and eight marks, together with a trademark leap to convey down the ball between two Crows within the third quarter.
(Belatedly) bursting out of the blocks
Brownlow Medal favorite Nick Daicos spent the primary eight minutes of the match on the bench earlier than urging Scott Pendlebury to return off.
The Sherrin being caught on the alternative aspect for a lot of that point contributed to Daicos’ delayed begin, however he wasted no time making an influence as soon as he ran on.
Collingwood’s surprise child racked up 10 disposals by quarter-time, and doubled that by half-time – a complete solely his in-form older brother Josh (21) trumped amongst Magpies. Coach Craig McRae may contemplate holding his younger gun again extra typically.
Goggle box-on
Mason Cox was on the centre of a final-quarter melee that threatened to get ugly.
The American Pie obtained a free kick in opposition to Adelaide defender Josh Worrell and subsequently kicked his second straight aim to slash the deficit to at least one level.
Ben Keays removes Mason Cox’s glasses as tempers flare on the MCG.Credit score: AFL Images
However after Cox’s subdued celebration from his earlier main, this time he ran immediately at Worrell and let him know all about it. Ben Keays ran in and ripped Cox’s specifically designed glasses off, solely heightening the angst between the 2 groups.
A giant group of Crows turned up and despatched Cox – with out his glasses by this level – to the bottom. They will in all probability all count on a minor superb on Monday, however the crowd beloved it.
COLLINGWOOD 2.4 7.5 7.8 12.10 (82)
ADELAIDE 1.5 2.8 9.9 11.14 (80)
GOALS Collingwood: Elliott 2, Cox 2, J. Daicos, Johnson, Adams, Hill, Mitchell, Harrison, Hoskin-Elliott, N. Daicos. Adelaide: Walker 4, Thilthorpe, Soligo, Pedlar, Rankine, Murphy, Fogarty.
BEST Collingwood: N. Daicos, J. Daicos, Maynard, Mitchell, Pendlebury, Cameron. Adelaide: Dawson, Walker, Laird, Keays, Jones, McHenry.
INJURIES Collingwood: None. Adelaide: Murray (left hamstring).
UMPIRES Stevic, Gavine, Hosking, Meredith.
CROWD 65,930 on the MCG.