Collingwood’s VFL side have secured their eighth win of the 2025 season, overcoming a second-placed Southport Sharks in enemy territory by nine-points.

The home side came out firing at the opening siren, kicking the first three goals of the first term.

Collingwood, who looked blindsided by Southport’s aggression, struggled to find their feet early with multiple turnovers into the Sharks’ hands.

Mid-season draftee Roan Steele finally broke the drought, finding Collingwood’s first following a defensive transition kickstarted from defender Jakob Ryan.

Ryan, who was the leading ball-winner at quarter time with eight disposals, limped off the ground at the break and didn’t return to play.

The second quarter saw both teams struggled for accuracy in their forward entries, with defenders on both ends racking up their intercept possession stat lines.

19-year-old VFL recruit Josh Murphy finally broke the stalemate after an incredible chase down tackle in Collingwood’s forward 50, while fellow recruits Riley Mason and Josh Bennetts added their own goals to the tally shortly after to bring Collingwood to just a three-point deficit at the main break.

2024 draftee Joel Cochran looked impressive, finishing the half with an equal team-high 11 disposals along with his seven intercept possessions and four rebound-50s.

Southport opened the second half with another goal, but VFL-listed Collingwood forward Harrison Kennedy quickly brought the margin back with his own goal before Mahoney slotted his second of the day.

Collingwood tall Iliro Smit also impressed, with the 200cm defender chasing down a Southport forward in the Magpies’ defensive 50 to deny the Sharks an easy goal

A tight tussle for the rest of the third term saw a flurry of behinds before Murphy was able to kick his second, bringing the Magpies’ a five-point lead heading into the final quarter.

Despite opening the game strong, the Sharks looked to struggle to match the visitors will, with Collingwood’s quick defensive transitions too much for Southport to counteract.

After missing last week’s match due to being the AFL side’s carry over emergency, 2024 draftee Will Hayes made his presence known with a goal in the final term to bring Collingwood’s lead out to 10 points, enough of a buffer to hold out the home side for an eventual nine-point win over Southport.

MATCH CENTRE: SOUTHPORT V COLLINGWOOD

The numbers:

Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell was the highest ranked Magpie, with 28 disposals (14 contested), eight clearances and four inside-50s, while mid-season draftee Roan Steele finished with 19 disposals, eight intercept possessions and four score involvements.

VFL-listed players Harrison Kennedy (two goals, seven marks), Harry Mahoney (two goals, 18 disposals) and Josh Murphy (two goals, 10 disposals) were the only multiple goalkickers for Collingwood.

2024 draftee Joel Cochran impressed in the backline, finishing with 16 disposals, eight intercept possessions and five marks, while VFL captain Sam Glover (17 disposals, six intercept possessions) showed his leadership until the final siren.

Collingwood will now turn their attention to next Saturday night’s prime time clash with Carlton at IKON Park.

SOUTHPORT          4.1      6.3      8.6      9.10    (64)
COLLINGWOOD     2.2      5.6     8.11    10.13    (73)

GOALS:
SOUTHPORT: Hugh Dixon (2), Max Pescud, Michael Manteit, Finn Hay, Josh Gore, Zac Foot, Jackson Edwards, Wylie Buzza
COLLINGWOOD: Josh Murphy (2), Harry Mahoney (2), Harrison Kennedy (2), Roan Steele, Roley Mason, Will hayes, Josh Bennetts

BEST:
COLLINGWOOD: Iliro Smit, Sam Glover, Tom Mitchell, Roan Steele, Joel Cochran, Oscar Steene