SCOTT Pendlebury has bounced back from his Anzac Day shocker to lead Collingwood to an upset 29-point win against Geelong at the MCG.
The Collingwood skipper described his effort against Essendon as his worst game in 10 years but despite having a five-day break, Pendlebury was everywhere when the contest against the Cats was at its hottest.
He picked up 32 disposals and laid nine tackles as he helped the Magpies turn around a frustrating run of form to win their second game for the season 15.17 (107) to 11.12 (78).
After failing to convert its chances for the first five rounds, Collingwood's confidence lifted midway through the third quarter when they began to hit the target.
They kicked six goals in the premiership quarter to open up a match-winning lead, breaking the game open with the final three goals of the quarter.
Five talking points: Geelong v Collingwood
It was the first time Collingwood had won a third quarter for the season and came on the back of strong forward pressure and dominance around the stoppages.
Geelong threatened to fight back but the Magpies held firm to defeat the Cats for the sixth time in the past eight encounters.
The result will momentarily ease the pressure on Magpies coach Nathan Buckley, however a huge game against Carlton looms next Saturday at the MCG.
Collingwood executed its plans well with stopper Levi Greenwood quelling the dangerous Joel Selwood who was coming off a career best 43 disposals in round five.
Greenwood restricted the Cats' skipper to just three disposals in the first quarter giving the Magpies a psychological boost. The Cats moved Selwood forward at times, but he never imposed himself on the game finishing with just 17 disposals.
Despite losing Travis Varcoe in the second half with hamstring tightness, the Magpies were able to maintain the rage with Will Hoskin-Elliott standing up to win big contests.
Hoskin-Elliott created turnovers and kicked a goal while Alex Fasolo had his kicking boots on with two goals.
Darcy Moore had his best game for the season, finishing with a career-high 17 disposals and two goals.
Adam Treloar was tireless in the final quarter and Steele Sidebottom showed his class kicking a vital goal on the three-quarter time siren, while Taylor Adams laid seven tackles.
By contrast Patrick Dangerfield – who has not displayed the same form since copping a heavy knock against Hawthorn on Easter Monday – was quiet with just 21 disposals and little influence.
With Dangerfield not able to provide his usual dash, Collingwood led the Cats 10 centre clearances to two and Geelong's three highest possession winners on the ground were Zach Touhy (18 disposals), Tom Lonergan (17 disposals) and Andrew Mackie (16 disposals).
Tuohy and Mackie ended the game leading the disposal count for the Cats and although Mitch Duncan and Steve Motlop battled hard they could not match the Magpie midfielders.
In the end the Magpies once again kicked more behinds than goals but they were much more efficient inside 50 with 32 scoring shots from 59 inside 50s and also kicking goals from tight angles when they needed them.
MEDICAL ROOM
Geelong
Brandon Parfitt did his hamstring midway through the last quarter and had to be assisted off the ground. It looked like a nasty injury for the youngster who had performed well in his first season.
Collingwood
Travis Varcoe left the ground with hamstring tightness midway through the third quarter and remained on the bench.
NEXT UP
Collingwood faces a huge game against arch-rivals, Carlton, at the MCG on Saturday with both teams having the chance to keep in the finals hunt with a win. Geelong heads up to the Gold Coast with the spotlight on how Gary Ablett performs against the club he won two premierships with and the one he hopes to return to one day.
GEELONG 3.1 5.4 8.7 11.12 (78)
COLLINGWOOD 3.5 7.9 13.12 15.17 (107)
GOALS
Geelong: Cockatoo 2, Taylor, Motlop, Hawkins, Bews, Parfitt, Lang, Dangerfield, Duncan, Blicavs
Collingwood: Moore 2, Fasolo 2, Hoskin-Elliott, Pendlebury, Phillips, Cox, Crisp, Broomhead, Sidebottom, Maynard, Elliott, Treloar, Wells
BEST
Geelong: Tuohy, Duncan, Mackie, Bews, Lonergan
Collingwood: Adams, Pendlebury, Greenwood, Crisp, Sidebottom, Grundy, Dunn
INJURIES
Geelong: Parfitt (right hamstring)
Collingwood: Varcoe (tight hamstring)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fleer, Jeffery, Mollison
Official crowd: 46,457 at the MCG
