A career best five goal haul from first year Magpie Jai Saxena wasn’t enough as Collingwood went down to Port Melbourne by 26-points at ETU Stadium.
In what was the Magpies’ last game of the season, the clash started with a goal for goal shoot out, with both Saxena and mid-season draftee Mitch Podhajski booting two majors each in the first term.
The pair contributing to Collingwood’s five first quarter goals compared to Port’s six, that saw the hosts take a nine-point lead into quarter time.
The goal scoring pair continued their accurate ways in the second quarter, booting their third majors each in quick succession.
After a 10-goal first half, Collingwood took a two-point lead into half time with the Magpies’ third mid-season pick Harrison Coe dominant both in the ruck and aerially with 22 first half hit outs.
The Pies ascendency continued in the third term with Saxena kicking his fourth and fifth goals to post a career best return in his 17th game at the level. The small forward finishes with 24 majors in his first season.
It was the final term where the Magpies run came to an end, with Port Melbourne booting seven goals to Collingwood’s two not enough. The Pies were unable to hold onto their three-quarter time lead and finished their 2026 season on a sombre note.
The numbers
Saxena’s five goal haul bettered his previous best of three goals which he kicked in Round 3 and Round 18 this year.
Podhajski kicked four goals from 11 disposals, while 2023 draftee Harry DeMattia lead the way for disposals with 26.
Harrison Coe posted a career best 44 hit outs and took five marks while Tyan Prindable had 22 disposals, eight tackles and nine clearances.
