Collingwood have recorded their second straight victory for the first time in season 2013 with a nine point win over Essendon on Saturday.
The Pies were able to take home the Bluestar cup in front of a huge crowd at Victoria Park, recording a 18.14-122 to 17.11-113 victory as Jarrad Conron reports.
Kyle Martin played an astounding game, earning best on ground honours with 27 disposals and six goals.
Along with Martin, Jackson Paine kicked three goals with Ben Moloney and Timothy Broomhead both slotting two each.
Up the other end, Joe Daniher keeps pushing to play his first AFL game with a five goal haul.
Cory Dell’Olio also kicked five with captain Matthew Bate and Martin Gleeson kicking three and two goals respectively.
Essendon got out to a flying start thanks to Daniher, who kicked three of Essendon’s five goals in the first 15 minutes of the match.
Collingwood were able to hit back though, bringing the lead back to just four points at the first change.
Both teams kept piling on goals in the second term, kicking nine goals between them with Collingwood able to take the advantage, going into half time with a five point lead.
The ferocity of the game was turned up again after half time, with players doing everything possible to get their side into a position to win the match.
Two late goals to Collingwood saw them go into the final term with a slim lead.
The flow of goals was steadied in the final quarter, with both backlines able to keep the ball out of the hands of either teams’ forwards.
A late run by Essendon had many thinking they could pinch a late victory but it wasn’t the case, with Collingwood able to hold on.
“It’s good for our younger guys to learn how to win in a really tough environment and it puts them in a really good position with their development going forward,” Collingwood coach Dale Tapping said after the match.
Two big names were in the side for the first time this year for the pies, with Lachlan Keefe returning from an ACL injury and first round draft pick Brodie Grundy playing his first game in the black and white.
“Just the fact he (Keefe) is out running around is fantastic for him and he will just get better and Brodie the same,” Tapping had to say about the big pair.
For the Bombers, Lauchlan Dalgleish and Ben Duscher both had fantastic games, being included in the best for their side.
Of the AFL listed players, Scott Gumbleton and Kyle Hardingham were named amongst the best afield for the Bombers.
Ben Sinclair enjoyed another great game for the Pies in his new role off the half back line, with 21 disposals.
Next Week, Essendon will look to bounce back when the take on reigning premiers Geelong back at home. Collingwood will look to claim their third successive victory when they take on the Northern Blues in the ABC TV game.
Last Modified on 27/05/2013 14:00