Collingwood have gone down to Carlton in the VFL, losing by four points at IKON Park on Saturday night.

The Blues started the game firing, kicking the first three goals in quick succession, with the Magpies quickly staring at a 19-point deficit midway through the first.

Collingwood managed to find their footing, with second-gamer Matt O’Brien kicking the Pies’ first, followed by Riley Mason and Max Mahoney to bring the scores level at the first break.

Mid-season draftee Noah Howes found the goals to start the second, kicking his first in the black and white since being drafted just over a month ago.

00:18

Mid-season draftee Howes kicks first goal in black and white

Noah Howes kicks his first goal since being drafted by Collingwood, kicking a goal in their Round 15 VFL clash against Carlton.

The Blues kicked two more, before Josh Bennetts was able to bring the lead back in favour of the Pies.

Collingwood VFL captain was commanding from the backline in the opening half, with eight intercepts and four rebound-50s to his name at the main break.

Within a minute of the second half, Will Hayes crumbed the ball to kick his first, bringing the lead to 15 points, before Howes kicked his second to extend it further.

Carlton then kicked into gear, kicking five of the six next goals to bring the lead back into their favour.

It was short lived however, with midfielder Harry DeMattia winning the tap from Oscar Steene to run straight through to kick his first from the edge of the goal square.

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DeMattia kicks on the run to bring Collingwood the lead

Collingwood midfielder Harry DeMattia kicks a goal from the square to bring the Magpies back in front in their Round 15 VFL clash against the Blues.

Glover, who had swung forward, kicked his own goal to add to his already impressive stat line to extend the lead to seven points at the final break.

While Carlton kicked the opening goal of the final term, both teams remained goalless for the next 15 minutes, until Blue Corey Durdin found the sticks to bring the lead back in favour of Carlton.

Andy Otten’s men fought to find control, but it wasn’t enough, going down by four points at the final siren.

MATCH CENTRE: COLLINGWOOD V CARLTON

05:57

VFL Highlights: Collingwood v Carlton

See the highlights from Collingwood's Round 15 VFL clash against Carlton.

The numbers:

VFL captain Sam Glover impressed all night, finishing with 24 disposals, 11 intercept possessions and 10 marks.

Midfielder Harry DeMattia had a team-high 27 disposals (13 contested) to go with his seven inside-50s and seven marks.

Defender Wil Parker (23 disposals, eight marks) pulled impressive numbers despite also playing in Collingwood’s AFL win on Friday night, while Charlie Dean (22 disposals, 10 intercept possessions) also impressed.

VFL defender Ryan Eyre (22 disposals, 12 marks) had his most impressive game of the 2025 season, while mid-season draftee Noah Howes (two goals) was the only multiple goal scorer for the Pies.

Collingwood now turn their attention to Gold Coast, where they will play in the AFL curtain raiser on Friday afternoon at People Choice Stadium.

GOALS:
COLLINGWOOD: Noah Howes (2), Matt O’Brien, Josh Murphy, Riley Mason, Max Mahoney, Will Hayes, Sam Glover, Harry DeMattia, Mason Cox, Josh Bennetts
CARLTON: Luke Nelson (3), Harry Lemmey (2), Denver Grainger-Barras (2), Flynn Young, Darcy Hogg, Will Hayes, Corey Durdin, Jaxon Binns

BEST:
COLLINGWOOD: Wil Parker, Harry DeMattia, Sam Glover, Ryan Eyre, Charlie Dean, Brady Grey