Collingwood won their fourth VFL game of 2024 with an arm wrestling victory against Brisbane at the AIA Vitality Centre.
After a back-and-forth first half, the Magpies led by seven points at the break.
Co-captain Sam Glover scored twice in the first half, while AFL-listed teenagers Charlie Dean, Finlay Macrae, and Charlie Dean were all over the pitch.
VFL newcomer Isiah Markovsky kicked a major either side of the interval, Joe Richards added two in the second half, and veteran Ben Crocker kicked one to give the Magpies an eight-point win to cap off a difficult 2024 season.
Dean rises tall at the back
After missing all but one game in 2023 due to a foot injury, Charlie Dean maintained his successful 2024 at VFL level, recording 17 marks and 27 disposals in the Magpies’ victory.
The 2021 Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medallist, for best player under 23 in the VFL, has been a reliable performer in a difficult year for the Pies, averaging 7.5 marks each game.
Dean was a critical element in this afternoon’s game, with 11 intercept possessions, tied for the most on the ground.
Electric Richards takes on Pies
Joe Richard, an AFL-listed small forward, returned to VFL level in style, scoring two critical second-half goals to go with his 23 disposals and six marks.
The 2022 draftee picked up where he left off against the VFL Lions, having scored a career-high six goals in Round Two.
Young Pies stand up!
Finlay Macrae, Charlie Dean, Edward Allan, and Joe Richards, all AFL-listed Magpies, stood tall when their team needed it most in Saturday’s win. They combined for 110 disposals and were first through fourth on the Magpies’ ball winners chart.
Their combined AFL experience in 2024, as a result of Collingwood’s injury-plagued season, can only be seen positively, as evidenced by their performance against an experienced Lions team.
Ed Allan and Joe Richards combined for a fantastic team goal late in the third quarter, with Allan winning a scrappy centre clearance and passing the ball to Richards on the edge of the centre square. Richards, the speedy full-forward, took a bounce and fired the Sherrin from beyond 50 metres, scoring a key goal and delivering a special highlight for the big Magpie Army throng at the AIA Vitality Centre.
In the VFL, Iliro Smit hits the ball, Ed Allan clears it, and Richards hits the LONG BOMB.
Markovsky is composed of the right stuff.
Oakleigh Chargers star Isiah Markovsky performed admirably in his maiden VFL game, scoring two goals and gathering seven disposals.
Collingwood 11.11 – 77.
Brisbane Lions: 10.9 – 69
GOALS
COLLINGWOOD
Richards 2, Markovsky 2, Glover 2, Sullivan, Sparkes, Smit, Kreuger, and Crocker.
Brisbane Lions
Martyn 2, Hude 2, Fort 2, Lloyd, Dunkley, Craven, and Asnwerth.
