LOCKED IN! Returning star Jordan De Goey and Mr September Mason Cox power Pies into finals
by Max LaughtonCollingwood has locked in a third consecutive finals appearance thanks to a stellar comeback from forward Jordan De Goey, defeating Gold Coast by 22 points at the Gabba.
The Magpies (9-6-1), needing one win in the final two rounds to guarantee themselves a spot in the top eight, were behind early when Suns (5-10-1) forward Alex Sexton kicked three goals in the first 15 minutes of the match.
Stuart Dew’s side probably should have held a lead from there but butchered chances throughout the game.
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Two late Mason Cox majors, one of them including just his fourth running bounce as an AFL player, proved the difference while De Goey finished with four goals.
QUARTER-BY-QUARTER RECAP
There were no late changes for either side.
Jordan De Goey made an excellent start in his return game, catching Hugh Greenwood holding the ball inside 50 and kicking truly for the game’s first goal.
However the Suns quickly responded through Alex Sexton, and a few minutes later after some excellent ball movement he added a second to put his side in front.
Then he crumbed and snapped a third, putting a fright through the hearts of all Magpies fans. De Goey missed a chance to kick his second but Will Hoskin-Elliott halted the Suns’ momentum late in the term, putting his side down 2.2 (14) to 3.1 (19) at quarter-time.
Scott Pendlebury didn’t have a disposal in the first quarter for just the fourth time in his 313-game career. The last time was in Round 12, 2009 (when he was injured) while the other two were in his first season.
A 50-metre penalty gave Collingwood a chance to go forward early in the second term and Mason Cox palmed down a ball to De Goey in the goalsquare, who kicked his second goal.
The problem for the Magpies was in the contest, with the Suns leading the clearance count 17-8 midway and the contested possessions 48-39 midway through the second quarter.
With his fifth shot on goal, De Goey snapped his third major, giving the Magpies the lead.
Collingwood led 4.5 (29) to 3.5 (23) at halftime, with returning pair De Goey and Adam Treloar (16 disposals) their two best.
A David Swallow goal levelled the scores early in the third quarter while Ben King missed a set shot, but took advantage of a turnover from the ensuing kickout to put the Suns back in front.
De Goey’s fourth goal of the night came not long after but then there was a prolonged stalemate period with neither side able to control the slippery ball.
De Goey could have kicked his fifth after a mark at the top of the goalsquare but he handballed it over the top to Brody Mihocek to put the Magpies back ahead.
Gold Coast then completely butchered a sure goal when Nick Holman marked in the goal square but played on, and was run down from behind by Jack Crisp. They were then made to pay by a big Mason Cox clunk and goal up the other end.
The Magpies led 7.5 (47) to 5.6 (36) at the final change.
The Suns continued their charge in the fourth quarter, getting the opening goal through Josh Corbett after a Brayden Maynard turnover, but another Cox goal - this one off a running bounce, if you don’t mind - restored the Pies’ lead.
A 50-metre penalty gifted Jack Crisp a goal and the Magpies a game-high 16-point lead with six minutes left.
Alex Sexton had a chance to make it a 10-point margin with three minutes to play but missed his set shot, and that was it.
Re-live Collingwood v Gold Coast Suns in our live blog below!