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COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES FC: 3:2(20), 6.5(41), 11.8(74), 16.12(108)
St Kilda Saints FC: 0:2(0), 1.8(14) 4.9(33), 7.10 (52)
The Magpies hold up the Premiership Cup after the Magpies won the AFL Grand Final Replay match between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Oct. 2. (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Celebrations began early in Melbourne. Collingwood fans from around the globe rejoiced as their team romped away to win in the AFL premiership match in the most-watched league competition (per capita) in the world.
Officially it took eight quarters for Collingwood Football Club to win the 2010 Toyota Australian Football League (AFL) Grand Final Rematch before 93,853 spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) today. But in reality, the game was won from the first score. They increased their lead each quarter in the first quarter lead of 18 points was increased to 27 then 41, to win by 56.
Less than two minutes had expired since the start of the fourth quarter for Collingwood Magpies to score a goal—from the boundary, Chris Dawes’ sharp-shooting from a set shot, sailed through his second goal. Collingwood can’t lose now.
Dale “Daisy” Thomas scored for the Woods’ 13th goal and the Magpie Army were ecstatic.
The Saints soured the Pies celebration who booed Nick Dal Santo’s first goal of the match.
Collingwood’s Sharrod Wellingham answered with a goal a few minutes later as they neared a ten goal lead.
St Kilda was down and out, long-resigned to losing. A goal to their normally dangerous small forward, Stephen Milne’s second kick of the match, chalked up their fifth.
Another goal to Wellingham for his second and the Pies’ fourth for the quarter.
The passion had drained from the St Kilda team. Their coach Ross Lyon was deflated.
Until Milne got his second deep in the fourth no player in the St Kilda team had kicked more than one goal for the match.
Licking the cream from his lips, Steele Sidebottom, the only teenager out on the field, scored his second goal.
St Kilda managed the final point in the match through Lenny Hayes. St Kilda had not scored consecutive goals and had managed just seven goals for the match.
Their superstar captain Nick Reiwoldt was ineffective. He had not looked like kicking a goal since his arrogant kick was heroically smothered by the Pie’s Heath Shaw. Saint Nick was soundly beaten by Collingwood’s Nathan Brown – but he wasn’t on his own. While aiming for their first premiership since 1966, they are the runners-up for the second consecutive year. They missed their ruckman, Gardiner, but they would have needed to win other contests apart from the crucial ruck ones.
In the post match presentations the St Kilda’s Captain admitted that Collingwood were “clearly the better team on the day”.
Super-coach Mick Malthouse – the Magpies’ master-strategist for one more year before a long announced retirement begins – told the audience watching on Channel 7’s broadcast around the world, that: “I’ve always believed that you’ve got to be very very, humble winners and gracious in defeat. The Saints have been outstanding in the last few years and I’ve got to applaud them for the way they play and go about it.”
He complimented the Australian Football League before thanking fans and sponsors.
“They should be commended for the way that the competition has been run. For the simple fact that we are probably the most watched competition in the world per head of population is an outstanding achievement for the AFL.”
And of his players and the match: “They are my boys and I love them all dearly," Malthouse said. "Once again we have proven that this great game is truly great!”
Collingwood’s Captain Nick Maxwell finished the speeches with: “The Saints have been one of the dominant teams of the last few years I’m sure you’re time will come. So, make sure you stick with them. They are led very well and they are going to be up there again next year.”
He thanked sponsors, the AFL, all the players on the list that included the 22 who didn’t play today, and the fans who had waited for 20 years to win their next grand final. Addressing the horde of the Collingwood faithful Maxwell said: “Finally, it’s been a long 20 years and you have stuck by us the whole way: This ones’ for you – thanks to everyone out there!”
The Norm Smith award for the player of the match went to Collingwood’s Scott Pendelbury told the television audience that “it’s the best feeling ever” to win the Grand Final. “We needed 22 role-players to stand up – and that’s what everyone did.”
Collingwood had won by their highest ever margin in a grand final since the most-loved-and-hated club began in 1892.
Collingwood: 16.12 (108) -- Didak 2, B Macaffer 2, C Dawes 2, S Sidebottom 2, S Wellingham 2, B Johnson, D Jolly, D Swan, D Thomas, H O'Brien, T Goldsack.
St Kilda: 7.10 (52) -- S Milne 2, B Goddard, J Koschitzke, L Hayes, N Dal Santo, S Gilbert.
Third quarter commentary follows on page 2.
