Over the course of the next two weeks, collingwoodfc.com.au will look back on memorable and significant happenings from the 2008 season. The second instalment reflects on a turbulent week in the Magpie camp that resulted in a memorable win.

Let’s go back to the week leading up to round 19, 2008. Most non-Collingwood people will only remember the incident involving a car, Heath Shaw and Alan Didak. But what many tried to make us forget that week was the most important thing – the game at stake.

The media had swung into overdrive as Alan Didak and Heath Shaw were fined and suspended for the remainder of the season for a drink-driving incident in the lead up to the match.  All major Melbourne media centers were calling for the heads of everyone involved. 

 As it happened, Didak and Shaw made a poor decision when leaving a pub and like all good mates do, tried to protect each other by lying about the events.

Lying to the club only heightened the severity of the situation and many believed this was the end for Collingwood in the 2008 season.

Questions were soon asked about the club and the potential for the team to make the finals.

How could a team continue to win games without its two, arguably best players?

How could a team remain focused on the next game with so much off-field drama?

How could a team who had to debut two young kids, tackle a top-four contender?

How?  Because…..WE ARE COLLINGWOOD.

After a poor three-game losing streak and a strenuous week with off field matters, the Magpies needed to redeem themselves. And what better way to do it with a 14-point victory over the Saints at the MCG.

Veteran captain Scott Burns proved his leadership with 23 touches, and Josh Fraser wowed fans with 22 hit-outs and 20 touches, after a disappointing performance against Hawthorn the previous week. Dane Swan was most impressive with three goals and a game high, 25 possessions.

St Kilda club champion, Robert Harvey, was dangerous all night collecting 28 possessions after announcing his retirement to the AFL world earlier in the week.

The Magpies were looking precarious in the opening of the second quarter, moving to a 31-point lead over the Saints.  However, before the major break, small forward Adam Schneider reduced the margin to 24 points. He goaled again in the opening minutes of the third term, and the Magpie Army grew anxious with St Kilda momentum building.

Strong play by Shane O’Bree and Leon Davis in the premiership quarter kept the Saints at bay and the Magpies were able to head into the final stanza with a 26 point advantage.

The mood intensified in the final term when the Saints closed the margin to nine points. Frustrated with the drop-off in intensity from their side, Travis Cloke and Jack Anthony were quick to lift Collingwood spirits with late goals before the siren.

The final score showed 14.19 (97) to 12.11 (83), a 14 point win that was worth more than the four points.  It may not have been the greatest victory the Magpies had seen that season, but it was definitely the right way to put some of those media monsters back in their place.

Click HERE for the first instalment reflecting on the round nine win against Geelong.

Please note: the views expressed in the above article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Collingwood Football Club or employees of the club.