Pies book fifth spot in September

Collingwood 20.19 (139) def. Kangaroos 10.11 (71)

A fast-finishing Collingwood has ended the minor round this season in fifth position following a 68-point victory over the Kangaroos at the MCG this afternoon.

Requiring a win by roughly eight goals to jump into fifth on the table, the Magpies led by only 22 at three quarter time, before they ran away with the match in the final term, booting 10 goals to three to achieve the higher spot.

However, the day was emotional, particularly for the Roos, as veteran Sav Rocca played his final AFL game, before embarking on an NFL career in the US.

The burly forward booted three goals in his 257th and final game with both the Pies and North, finishing his career 12th on the VFL/AFL goal-kicking table with 748 majors.

Paul Licuria hit some form heading into the finals, collecting 26 possessions and kicked four goals for Collingwood.

Scott Burns, Shane O'Bree and Ryan Lonie provided plenty of run and forward drive, while James Clement was serviceable in defence.

Chris Egan and Chris Tarrant guided home three goals apiece, while Tarkyn Lockyer kicked two majors, including gathering 20 disposals.

The Kangaroos had few match-winners, depicting the result, but Jess Sinclair toiled hard all day with 31 touches.

Brent Harvey and Brady Rawlings worked hard in the midfield, while Daniel Harris provided a tough presence around the ball all match.

The Pies finish the minor round ranked in fifth with a 14-8 analysis, similar to the fourth-placed Sydney, who have a higher percentage, while North end their season sitting in 14th with only seven wins.

Corey Jones landed the first major inside the first minute of the match for the Roos, before the Magpies responded with two goals by Ben Johnson and Ryan Lonie.

Both teams nailed three majors in a first term immune from any spectacular highlights, as North, inspired by two goals by Sav Rocca, held a slender one-point buffer.

The score-worm read goal-for-goal in the second stanza, normally representing a tough and even match-up, but the style of play was ugly by both teams.

Although Collingwood carried an eight-point lead into the long break, their brand of football suggested they were by no means a top eight squad.

Sav Rocca booted an early third quarter goal - his third - but the style of play emulated itself after the half, with only three majors in 20 minutes of play.

Heading into red-time, the Magpies held a four-point lead, before three late goals by Licuria, Lockyer and Alan Didak ensured they held a comfortable 22-point buffer at the last break.

With fifth position on the line, Collingwood eliminated two-and-a-half quarters of unimpressive football and replaced it with a fast-running and confident style of play, partially helped by North throwing in the towel.

Ten goals to three in the final term, including three by Licuria, boosted Magpies' winning margin beyond what was a proper representation of the match, which was relatively even for almost three stanzas.

"We had a lot of the football, but didn't use it well early," Pies coach Mick Malthouse said post-match.

"We struggled to score (in the first half), and allowed them to score, but by the end of perhaps the second quarter, we started to realise that the best form to take into finals is good form.

"I'd rather go into the finals sires with some good form and confidence, rather than going in it without it."

Next week, Collingwood will match up with the Western Bulldogs at the MCG in an elimination showdown, likely to be next Saturday evening.

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