Magpies hit back to claim important win over the Saints in the AFL.
A five-goal return in the third quarter set up Collingwood’s 26-point point victory over St Kilda at Docklands.
The Magpies’ triumphed 15.13 (103) to 11.11 (77), having led by just two points at half-time.
But the Magpies kicked 5.3 to the Saints’ 3.4 after the main break to establish a 13-point lead at three-quarter time before they iced the win with a composed final term.
In what was an at times scrappy contest from both sides, but the individual stars in the Magpie side proved to to be the difference in the end.
Dale Thomas was the stand out and best-on-ground with a career-high 28 uncontested possessions to go with 34 disposals at 85 per cent efficiency.
Having lost Alan Toovey to a season-ending knee injury, Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley switched Thomas to defence and it turned out to be a masterstroke.
Along with Heath Shaw (22 touches), Thomas played the role of battlefield commander, as he harassed, organised and propelled his side to the important victory.
St Kilda did look to use their significant defensive press to repeal the normal drive the Magpies get off half-back.
Despite the impressive individual haul by St Kilda’s Jack Riewoldt of four goals, 11 marks and 19 disposals, Collingwood ground their opponents into another loss.
The win is Collingwood’s fourth of the year and has allowed them to bounce back from their ANZAC Day loss to Essendon last round.
St Kilda’s season goes from bad to worse as they slumped to their fifth loss of the year which sees then only just above the Western Bulldogs in 16th, who have a game in hand of the Saints.
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