Collingwood have suffered a one-point heartbreak in their Friday night VFL thriller against Frankston at Kinetic Stadium.

The Pies, who led by as much as 22 points in the final quarter, were overrun by the home side to go down by a point in the dying seconds.

It took both teams nine minutes to score, with Frankston making first strike. A second quickly followed, with Collingwood quickly staring at a 13-point deficit early.

VFL debutant Nick Thompson kicked a booming inside 50 after being rewarded a holding the ball free kick to find Xavier Laverty who kicked truly, finally giving Collingwood their first of the night.

Second year Pie Charlie West quickly followed with his own, before stand-in VFL captain Josh Browne gave the Pies their third in three minutes to steal a five-point lead at the first break.

The second quarter started much the same as the first, with both teams inaccurate in front of goal.

Joel Cochran, who made his return after recovering from an AC joint injury sustained almost two months prior, was key in the backline along with fellow defender Jakob Ryan.

The Dolphins finally found their footing, kicking three goals in succession to bring the lead back into their favour and ending the half with a 13-point lead, keeping the Pies scoreless in the second quarter.

Much like Collingwood’s VFL win against Casey two weeks ago, the second half brought a completely new look Pies.

Two goals to ruckman Iliro Smit, along with singles to West, reigning VFL best and fairest Harry DeMattia, Thompson and Zac McCarthy saw the Pies suddenly hold a strong 17-point lead heading into the final quarter.

While the home team were quick out of the gates in the fourth, Jai Saxena quickly replied, as too did West who found his third to bring the Pies a 22-point lead.

From there however, the Dolphins switched on. With the strong home crowd cheering them on, Frankston went on to kick four unanswered goals to tie the game at the 27-minute mark.

With only minutes left, it was the Dolphins who took the final strike, kicking a behind from a set shot in the final seconds to secure a one-point lead in front of their faithful.

Match Centre: Frankston v Collingwood

The numbers:

Charlie West impressed in what appeared to be a new role for the forward, finishing with a VFL career-high 20 disposals and six inside 50s along with his three goals.

Defender Jakob Ryan continued his strong form in defence, finishing with 23 disposals and nine intercepts, while fellow backmen Wil Parker (seven intercepts) and midseason draftee Liam Puncher (six intercepts) also had good looks.

Fellow midseason draftee Harry Coe – who was drafted from Frankston’s VFL side – enjoyed his return to Kinetic Stadium, with the ruckman finishing with a game-high 27 hitouts along with 16 disposals and six intercepts.

Angus Anderson (20 disposals, 10 tackles) was impressive in his first VFL game since Round 3, while stand-in captain Josh Browne (26 disposals, one goal) led from the front.

Collingwood will now turn their attention to next week’s clash with Richmond at Victoria Park.

FRANKSTON            2.1      5.5       7.5      12.7     (79)
COLLINGWOOD       3.0      3.5      9.10     11.12   (78)

GOALS
FRANKSTON: Harry Jones (2), Taine Barlow (2), Jackson Voss, Tomoya Owens, Tarkyn O'Leary, Trent Mynott, Ollie moran, Bailey Lloyd, Corey Ellison, Kobe Askew
COLLINGWOOD: Charlie West (3), Iliro Smit (2), Nick Thompson, Jai Saxena, Zac McCarthy, Xavier Laverty, Harry DeMattia, Josh Browne

BEST
COLLINGWOOD: Lachie Sullivan, Charlie West, Harry Coe, Oskar Faulkhead, Josh Browne, Wil Parker