Strong Melbourne winds caused a seesawing affair at the KGM Centre for Collingwood’s first VFL clash of 2026, with the Pies going down to the GIANTS by 16 points on Friday afternoon.

It was 2025 draftee Angus Anderson who opened Collingwood’s account for their 2026 VFL season, kicking a classy goal on the run following a link up with Will Hayes and Charlie West.

While the GIANTS quickly answered with two back-to-back goals, the strong breeze in the favour to the Pies saw a quick succession of goals from West, Zac McCarthy, Lachie Sullivan, Jack Buller and Noah Howes saw the Pies secure a 32-point lead at the first break.

00:15

Anderson kicks Collingwood's first VFL goal of 2026

Collingwood's pick 57 Angus Anderson has opened their 2026 account, kicking the first goal of the season in their Round 2 clash against GWS.

The second quarter saw the momentum swing, with GWS now having their turn to kick four consecutive goals.

Collingwood’s defence managed to put a stop to the flood gates, with AFL draftee Sam Swadling along with VFL recruit and former North Melbourne tall Brynn Teakle leading the backline with six and seven intercept possessions respectively.

Pies fans at the KGM Centre and tuning in to the stream collectively shared a smile when Harvey Harrison – who missed all of 2025 due to an ACL injury sustained in 2024 – kicked his first VFL goal in 728 days.

00:16

Harrison kicks first VFL goal in 728 days

Collingwood midfielder Harvey Harrison slots his first VFL goal in almost two years since after making his return from ACL injury in Collingwood's clash with GWS.

Collingwood headed into the third term with a six-point lead, however the return of the strong breeze allowed VFL Senior Coach Matthew Lokan’s men to extend that lead to 22.

Second year Pie Hayes found the goals on the run after a clean break away from midfielder Sullivan, while new Pies Co-Captain Brady Grey added a goal of his own to extend the lead.

It wasn’t meant to be however, with the GIANTS took full advantage of the final term with the wind and kicking four quick goals in six minutes, bringing the lead back into their favour for the first time since the opening minutes of the game.

While Howes was able to kick his second goal in the dying minutes, it wasn’t enough to bring back the lead with Collingwood going down to GWS by 16 points.

MATCH CENTRE: COLLINGWOOD V GWS

06:03

VFL highlights: Collingwood v GWS

See all the highlights from the Pies' clash with the GIANTS.

The numbers:

Ed Allan was a standout in the midfield, accumulating a team-high 29 disposals, eight inside 50s and seven tackles, while 2025 draftee Angus Anderson finished with 20 disposals and six score involvements.

Defensive duo Jakob Ryan and Sam Swadling each finished with 25 disposals (12 contested), with Ryan also racking up 11 intercept possessions with his six marks.

Second year Pie Charlie West finished with two goals and five marks, while last year’s mid-season draftee Noah Howes also finished with a pair of majors.

New VFL recruit Oskar Faulkhead finished his Collingwood debut with 21 disposals, six intercept possessions and six score involvements, while AFL off-season recruit Jack Buller finished with 18 disposals and seven clearances.

While only featuring in the opening quarter, returning defender Reef McInnes finished with seven disposals (two contested) and five marks.

Collingwood now turn their attention to their Good Friday clash against Coburg on Friday 3 April at Barry Plant Park at 1:05pm.

COLLINGWOOD     7.2      8.3      10.9      11.13    (79)
GWS.                       2.0      7.3       7.5       14.11    (95)

GOALS:
COLLINGWOOD: Charlie West (2), Noah Howes (2), Lachie Sullivan, Zac McCarthy, Will Hayes, Harvey Harrison, Brady Grey, Jack Buller, Angus Anderson
GWS: Ryan Hebron (3), Conor Stone (2), Riley Hamilton (2), Riley Dillon (2), Roby McMullin, Sam McMeeeken, Nicholas Madden, Harvey Hooper, James Bell

BEST:
COLLINGWOOD: Ed Allan, Jack Buller, Ben De Bolfo, Oskar Faulkhead, Jakob Ryan, Sam Swadling