Collingwood Magpies Dominate Melbourne Demons with 89-51 Victory at MCG – Round 13, 2024 AFL Season

The Collingwood Magpies and Melbourne Demons clashed at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in Round 13 of the 2024 AFL season. The Magpies emerged victorious with a commanding 89-51 win, delighting the home crowd and further solidifying their position in the league standings. The atmosphere was electric, with fans from both sides filling the stadium, eager to witness this classic rivalry.

The first quarter saw the Magpies take an early lead, thanks to a quick goal from Will Hoskin-Elliott in the very first minute. The Demons struggled to find their rhythm, managing only behinds from Max Gawn, Kysaiah Pickett, and Daniel Turner. Collingwood capitalized on Melbourne’s inaccuracies, with Finlay Macrae and Nathan Kreuger adding to the scoreboard. By the end of the quarter, the Magpies were up 19-4, setting the tone for the rest of the match.

In the second quarter, the Demons showed signs of life, with Jacob van Rooyen scoring two quick goals, narrowing the gap. However, Collingwood responded fiercely, with goals from Lachlan Schultz, Harvey Harrison, and Nathan Kreuger, among others. The Magpies’ relentless pressure and efficient scoring saw them extend their lead to 45-18 by halftime. Melbourne’s inability to convert their opportunities into goals continued to haunt them.

The third quarter was a continuation of Collingwood’s dominance. Despite an early goal from van Rooyen, the Magpies quickly regained control with goals from Billy Frampton, Darcy Cameron, and Nick Daicos. Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett managed a goal, but it wasn’t enough to stem the tide. The Demons’ struggle with accuracy persisted, as they added several behinds to their tally. By the end of the quarter, Collingwood had a comfortable 69-35 lead.

In the final quarter, the Magpies sealed their victory with goals from Harvey Harrison, Patrick Lipinski, and Nathan Kreuger. The Demons managed to add two goals from Kysaiah Pickett and Bayley Fritsch, but it was too little, too late. Collingwood’s defense held firm, and they cruised to an 89-51 win, much to the delight of their supporters.

The team statistics highlight Collingwood’s efficiency and dominance. The Magpies had 351 disposals, 213 kicks, and 138 handballs, compared to Melbourne’s 358 disposals, 201 kicks, and 157 handballs. Collingwood’s 14 goals from 19 scoring shots underscored their accuracy, while Melbourne’s 6 goals from 21 scoring shots highlighted their struggles. The Magpies also excelled in clearances (39 to 29) and tackles (69 to 48), showcasing their superior work rate and defensive pressure.

Key players for the Magpies included Nathan Kreuger, who bagged three goals and seven marks, and Josh Daicos, who amassed 33 disposals and 10 marks. Will Hoskin-Elliott was another standout, contributing two goals and 13 disposals. For the Demons, Jacob van Rooyen was a bright spot with three goals, while Clayton Oliver worked tirelessly with 28 disposals and three clearances.

Individual efforts were notable on both sides. For Collingwood, Patrick Lipinski’s 24 disposals and seven tackles were crucial, while Brayden Maynard’s 21 disposals and six tackles highlighted his defensive prowess. On the Demons’ side, Max Gawn’s 25 disposals and 44 hitouts were impressive, and Christian Salem’s 22 disposals and five tackles showed his all-around capabilities.

In conclusion, the Magpies’ victory over the Demons was a testament to their efficiency and teamwork. Collingwood’s ability to convert opportunities and maintain defensive pressure throughout the game was key to their success. For Melbourne, the loss highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in goal accuracy and clearance work. As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on this performance, with the Magpies aiming to solidify their top position and the Demons seeking to bounce back stronger.