Collingwood’s 2025 VFL season has come to an end after being defeated by Williamstown by 12-points in the Wildcard play off at Victoria Park. 
 
It was retiring veteran Will Hoskin-Elliott who got the Pies off to a perfect start, kicking the opening goal of the game following a strong mark.
 
The 31-year-old then helped set up another, with young ruck Oscar Steene converting to give Collingwood a 12-point lead early in the do-or-die clash. 
 
It was to be the Magpies’ biggest margin of the afternoon as both sides traded blows going goal for goal for most of the first three quarters.
 
Late in the first term, 211cm Mason Cox provided a highlight for the Collingwood fans in attendance at the Pies spiritual home, gathering the ball on the bounce in the left forward pocket of the ​Lulie Street end before snapping on the run. 
 
 
Cox and Steene gelled well in the ruck, winning hit outs 51-21 and giving the Pies first use of the ball on many occasions. The Seagulls were the ones that capitalised however, getting on the upper side of the clearance ledger 44-35. 
 
It was this ability to win the ball from the centre, paired with the Magpies inaccuracy and inaptitude to adjust to blustery conditions that saw Williamstown triumph. 
 
Collingwood failed to manage a strong breeze blowing across the ground in the final term, going goalless to see Williamstown progress to next week’s Elimination Final.
 
Collingwood finish theor 2025 VFL season with 11 wins, a much improved showing from 2024's four. The Magpies will take many positives from what was a year of learning in Coach Andy Otten's first season at the helm.

The numbers
 
23-year-old Finlay Macrae showed his class for the Magpies, registering 23 disposals and 9 clearances to be the major ball winner for Collingwood. 
 
Mason Cox impressed in the ruck with 30 hit-outs and a goal, while fellow AFL listed Pie Ed Allan also kicked a goal and finished with 22 disposals, five tackles and five clearances.
 
 

COLLINGWOOD  4.3  5.10  9.12  9.15 (69)
WILLIAMSTOWN 4.2  5.4. 8.11  11.15 (81)



GOALS:

WILLIAMSTOWN: Gollant (4), Hollow (2), McLaughlin, Colenso, Polson, McHale, Toner

COLLINGWOOD: H.Mahoney (2), Steene, Johnson, Allan, Cox, M.Mahoney, Wilson, Hoskin-Elliott