Adelaide have defeated Collingwood at the MCG. 

Six clinical goals in less than 20 minutes after half-time almost killed the contest, but not before Collingwood made a signature late charge under Craig McRae.  

Matthew Nicks' side won 18 games last year to finish on top of the ladder and return to September for the first time since the 2017 Grand Final, but they endured a summer of scrutiny after being dispatched by Collingwood and Hawthorn at home in both the qualifying and semi-final. 

They played better earlier and for longer to beat Collingwood at the MCG for the first time since 2014 to record a 13.15 (93) to 11.13 (79) win.

With Collingwood captain Darcy Moore, veteran backman Jeremy Howe and the next man in Reef McInnes all sidelined, the Magpies were left with an undersized defence to combat the Crows' three-headed monster. 

Isaac Quaynor (180cm) and Brayden Maynard (189cm) were handed assignments above their weight divisions against Darcy Fogarty (192cm) and Taylor Walker (192cm), while Billy Frampton was handed the task of quelling Riley Thilthorpe, but couldn't. 

Thilhorpe booted 60 goals in a breakout 2025 campaign that was rewarded with an All-Australian blazer for the first time and slotted two of his three goals in the defining third quarter. 

Josh Worrell was the most influential Crow on the ground in the first half, patrolling the back half of the ground, hauling in nine intercepts from his 27 disposals. Wayne Milera amassed 34 disposals and 654m gained across half-back in an even performance by the South Australians. 

Dan Houston picked up where he left off on Sunday night to maintain his fast start to 2026, collecting 32 touches and 693m gained, while Nick Daicos should feature in the Brownlow votes again after finishing with 33 disposals, 776m gained and two goals. 

But it was the Crows, not the Magpies, that looked like the team with early season match practice early. Collingwood couldn't connect inside 50 in the first half, despite winning the territory battle. They slotted four goals in the second quarter to get going, although all four came from general play, not set shots. 

Adelaide responded straight after half-time, registering the first six scores in eight minutes, including three goals. Collingwood was on the canvas, but they are never done. They responded at the start of the fourth quarter. First through Lachie Schultz, then via Jamie Elliott. They had a pulse late. A parochial, frustrated home crowd behind them, and belief from the stack of close wins under McRae. When Tim Membrey calmly slotted a goal halfway through the last quarter, the margin was two goals.

But then Walker made Collingwood pay for a stand infringement, finding Fogarty in the pocket after a 50m penalty, which halted the Magpies' momentum and ended the contest.

COLLINGWOOD    0.1   4.8    6.10    11.13 (79)
ADELAIDE            2.3    5.5   11.10   13.15 (93)
 
GOALS
Collingwood: Steele 2, Schultz 2, Elliott 2, N. Daicos 2, Membrey, McCreery, Crisp
Adelaide: Thilthorpe 3, Fogarty 2, Cumming 2, Soligo, Rachele, Pedlar, Neal-Bullen, Keays, Cook

INJURIES
Collingwood: TBC
Adelaide: TBC

Crowd: 62,482 at the MCG