Collingwood have ended their 2025 pre-season campaign with a 14-point win over Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval on Sunday afternoon.
In a back-and-forth affair, both teams’ defence refused to concede any majors in the opening quarter, with second-year defender Amber Schutte looking dangerous in the backline early, notching multiple intercept marks to halt any Port forward entry attempts.
Ruck Imogen Barnett provided defensive pressure early when not on rucking duties, smothering the ball and tackling her opponents on multiple occasions.
Captain Ruby Schleicher, who was a test to feature in the practice match, didn’t look out of place, leading from the front alongside stalwart Brit Bonnici in the midfield.
Collingwood were dominant in the second quarter, locking the ball firmly in their front half for majority of the term.
The Pies had nine scoring shots to the Power’s zero, however strong winds wreaked havoc on their accuracy. Awarded a free kick on the half time siren, Schleicher kicked the first goal of the game, extending Collingwood’s lead to 15 points at the main break.
Starting the second half much how they ended the first, Collingwood asserted their contested pressure over the 2024 preliminary finalists early in the third.
A late tackle by Bonnici after a Port Adelaide goal attempt gave the Power another shot on goal, with the opposition securing their first major of the afternoon.
Port Adelaide began to look dangerous, adding more pressure to the Collingwood defenders and locking the ball in their front half. However, they were unable to convert anymore majors, with defenders Lauren Butler and Annie Lee working hard to deny the opposition any further opportunities and ensuring the Pies had a nine-point lead at the final break.
A quick goal to the Power to start the fourth term brought the margin back to just three points, adding nerves to the Magpie Army in the crowd at Alberton Oval.
Exciting forward Kalinda Howarth, who’s yet to make her official Collingwood debut after spending her first year at the Club on the sidelines while she recovered from an ACL injury, snapped the ball from the boundary after receiving a tap from 80-gamer Sabrina Frederick, giving the Pies a handy buffer as the clock ticked down.
The home side refused to give up, getting the ball within their front half yet again. Their shots at goal were unsuccessful, with one hitting the post and the other marked on the line by Barnett.
After kicking three in last week’s Match Simulation against Essendon, Howarth found her second of the day, helping to secure a 14-point win as the Pies officially wrap their 10th AFLW pre-season.
Collingwood will now turn their attention to their Round 1 season opener against Carlton at IKON Park on 14 August.
PORT ADELAIDE 0.1 0.1 1.2 2.4 (14)
COLLINGWOOD 0.2 1.10 1.11 3.12 (30)
GOALS
Collingwood: Howarth (2), Schleicher
