Collingwood have gone down to Footscray by 72 points in their VFL clash at Victoria Park.
It’s the Pies’ second loss of the VFL season, with their first coming by a single point in their Good Friday clash against Brisbane.
With several AFL-listed players from last week’s match on senior duties, their absences paved way for three debutants to don the black and white for the first time, with Josh Murphy making his VFL debut.
It was Murphy who kicked the first for the Pies, with the North Albury product getting the crumb and finishing with class.
The Dogs showed their bite in the opening quarter however, only allowing the Pies just the one scoring opportunity while they had nine of their own. Fortunately for Collingwood, Footscray were only able to convert on three of them.
The Pies were able to show more of their spark in the second quarter however, with Josh Browne putting two goals to his name.
Despite Charlie Dean and VFL captain Sam Glover each had five intercept possessions in the backline, Footscray still managed to find the goals.
Liam Hude managed to add to the Collingwood tally, as did Iliro Smit after kicking a monster goal after the siren to bring the deficit to 25 points at half time.
Neither team were able to capitalise in the third, with both teams trading behinds. That was until Hude finally broke the stalemate, with a late swing to his kick giving the Pies another six points to their score.
The Dogs were quick to respond however, following with two goals of their own to finish the third.
Despite a magnet shift from VFL Head Coach Andy Otten which saw Glover swung forward, it wasn’t enough to overcome Footscray, who finished the day as 72-point victors.
MATCH CENTRE: COLLINGWOOD V FOOTSCRAY
The numbers:
Defenders Charlie Dean (23 disposals, eight marks) and VFL captain Sam Glover (20 disposals, eight intercept possessions) did all they could in the backline, while Brady Grey (18 disposals, five clearances) made his presence known in his return from injury.
Josh Browne had his moments in the forward line, kicking two goals to go along with his 20 disposals, while Harry DeMattia (11 disposals, six tackles) did what he could to get the Pies going.
Ben De Bolfo also made an impression, finishing his first game in the black and white with 20 disposals, 10 marks and eight intercept possessions.
Collingwood now turn their attention to their clash with the Northern Bullants next Saturday at Genis Steel Oval.
GOALS
Collingwood: Josh Browne (2), Liam Hude (2), Iliro Smit, Josh Murphy
Footscray: Caleb Poulter (3), Will Lewis (3), Chan Hargraves (2), Harvey Gallagher (2), Lachlan Smith, Diesel Moloney, Luke Kennedy, Arthur Jones, David Cunningham, Cooper Craig-Peters
BEST
Collingwood: Charlie Dean, Sam Glover, Ben De Bolfo, Brady Grey, Harry DeMattia, Tew Jiath
