SYDNEY 3.1, 7.2, 9.7, 10.9 (69)
COLLINGWOOD 1.2, 5.5, 9.10, 12.17 (89)
GOALS
Sydney: Franklin 2, Rampe, Malceski, Pyke, McGlynn, Hannebery, Reid, Cunningham, Jetta
Collingwood: Elliott 3, Goldsack 2, Cloke 2, Pendlebury, Sinclair, Swan, Beams, Young
BEST
Sydney: Kennedy, Jetta, Hannebery, McGlynn
Collingwood: Pendlebury, Beams, Elliott, Frost, Macaffer,
INJURIES
Sydney: Rohan (calf)
Collingwood: Brown (shoulder)
WHAT HAPPENED
These two sides played out a cracker is what happened. Stung by two weeks of soul-searching after their Round 1 capitulation to Fremantle, the Pies opened the scoring. But Collingwood soon found themselves on the wrong end of a Sydney side also smarting from a Round 1 humiliation of their own. With all the running, the Swans piled on five unanswered goals either side of quarter-time to lead by 23 points five minutes into the second term when Ben McGlynn made no mistake from 45 metres.
But it was the somewhat unlikely figure of Tyson Goldsack that kick-started the revival as he took it on himself to squeak one home from well beyond 50. But pulling one back was the cue for the likes of Collingwood's A-Graders to get busy, as Scott Pendlebury started asserting himself on the contest. Pendlebury, Travis Cloke and Ben Sinclair all goaled before half-time – Pendlebury's goal featured a double one-two and may be a goal-of-the-year contender - although goals to Dan Hannebery and Lance Franklin ensured the Swans still enjoyed a nine-point advantage at the main break.
The Pies took that momentum into the third term as they booted the quarter's first three goals, with Goldsack's second giving them the lead for the first time since early in the opening term. But Buddy loves playing Collingwood and was always going to lift, the former Hawk scoring his second before setting up Harry Cunningham just before three-quarter time. As the Swans closed to just four points at the final change, the Pies were forced to sub out Nathan Brown with what appeared a serious shoulder injury, although Gary Rohan was also forced off at the same time with a calf complaint.
Collingwood's sub Taylor Adams was straight into the action in the final quarter, but for all the wrong reasons, with Lewis Jetta forcing him into an early turnover as the Swans speedster kicked truly and gave Sydney back the lead.
In a ferocious passage of play, both sides hurled the kitchen sink at each other in the torrid conditions as Collingwood levelled proceedings with three straight behinds. But it would take the class of Dayne Beams to break the contest as he ran onto the ball and snapped truly.
And late goals to Elliott for his third and Clinton Young sealed the 12.17 (89) to 10.9 (69) win as the Magpies kickstartd their 2014 campaign, leaving Sydney on 0-2 and with questions lingering over their ability to run out matches.
FALLOUT
Collingwood may have lost Nathan Brown for an extended period after he immediately clutched at his arm in a marking contest with Franklin as he popped his shoulder. Brown returned to the sidelines wearing a sling and didn't look a happy chappy as he has a history of shoulder dislocations.
One imagines Gary Rohan will also be needing scans after limping off the ground late in the third term. Sydney's Tom Derickx will also be looked at for an off-the-ball cheap shot on Pendlebury as well, while Kieren Jack's fitness will come under the microscope as he was well blanketed by Brent Macaffer.
HOPE THEY'RE IN MY FANTASY TEAM
Pendlebury was in everything, producing an absolute blinder in this game to be best on ground. Pendles not only posted 33 possessions but had nine clearances and 10 inside 50s to go with his goal. Added to that, he had 10 tackles just for good measure to dominate fantasy scores.
WHAT'S NEXT
Sydney will look to get their season up and running at Adelaide Oval next Saturday as they face the Crows, while Collingwood face off against old enemy Geelong next Saturday night.