Collingwood 1.2   6.5    8.10  9.13 (67)Melbourne     6.2  11.2  14.4  16.6 (102)

By WILLIAM ZWAR

Melbourne has defeated Collingwood by 35 points in what loomed as an important round 4 clash for both clubs.

An early gridlock saw Demon Jack Watts and Magpie Ben Sinclair exchanging goals as spectators wondered which team would turn up the pressure first.

However the Dees broke free, going on a run that would see them kick the next five goals to end the quarter with six individual goal scorers.

Demon Ben Kennedy figured as one of those goal scorers who played with guts and grit against his former club, while teammate Sam Frost intercepted a Brodie Grundy handball and kicked truly from outside 50 to bring the quarter to a close.

Lead by Watts, the second quarter followed suit with Melbourne dominating early play and kicking clear to a 42-point lead, before a momentum swing orchestrated by Travis Varcoe and Adam Treloar saw the Pies get within 22 points midway through the term.

The Dees played with speed and excitement as their forward line showed much more potential and flexibility, with Watts securing four goals for the half.

The pace of the game changed after the main break with the free-flowing football of the first half a distant memory as the ball tightened up and stoppages became more frequent.

Although the Dees managed to extend their lead thanks to their own defensive pressure and some inaccurate Collingwood shotmaking, Dean Kent, Cam Pedersen and Jack Viney all kicked easy goals within a six-minute burst as the Dees accelerated to a 30-point lead heading into the final change.

Adhering to some trademark traits of clubs coached by Paul Roos, the Dees closed out the game through playing tough and slogging it out.

Collingwood never really tested the Dees as they only slotted a trio of goals in the final stanza. Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn kicked the sealer with just a minute remaining, ensuring the Dees cruised to a strong 35-point win to extend their winning streak over the Pies to two games.

Jesse Hogan’s performance saw him showcase his versatility as a player as he spent more time further up the ground and creating play, rather than settling in as the spearhead forward early in his career.

Meanwhile debutant Jayden Hunt showed pace and guts, however seemed flustered at times as he negotiates a key developmental phase.

Club-hopper Jeremy Howe failed to fire against his old side, as he was unable to create the awe-inspiring moments he did so many times in a red and blue jumper.

For the Dees, they can start to believe that while they may not yet be contenders for a premiership, they are gutsy challengers and can count themselves a genuine chance in any game they prepare for.

They will head into next Sunday’s ANZAC Day eve clash as favourites against the Tigers and will be looking to continue their promising form.

Meanwhile the Pies need to recover from a disappointing start to the season in which they are yet to show a resounding on-field performance.

The next five games will allow the coaching staff to see exactly where the club is sitting with some tests against the Eagles and the Cats looming, as well as some potential morale boosters when they face the Bombers, Blues and Lions.

@zwar_w

WRAP-UP

Goals
Collingwood: Sidebottom 2, Cloke 2, Fasolo, Moore, Treloar, Varcoe, Sinclair
Melbourne: Watts 4, Hogan 2, Pederson 2, Tyson 2, Frost, Brayshaw, Gawn, Kennedy, Kent, Viney

Best
Collingwood: Varcoe, Treloar, Sidebottom, Reid, Pendlebury
Melbourne: Jones, Viney, Kent, Frost, Watts, Gawn,

Injuries
Collingwood: Goldsack (illness) replaced in selected side by White, Reid (knee), Sinclair (concussion), Cloke (elbow)
Melbourne: Brayshaw (concussion)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: O'Gorman, Meredith, Ryan

Crowd: 47,558