Pendlebury's Pies hang on in ALL-TIME thriller as after-the-siren ...

Collingwood have held on for milestone man Scott Pendlebury in the most dramatic of circumstances in game 400, with a Mitch McGovern miss after the siren leaving the Magpies three point victors over Carlton.

The Blues nearly proved themselves the ultimate villains in front of a packed Collingwood faithful, nearly reversing their 32-point deficit early in the last quarter with a McGovern miracle - but ultimately going down to the Pies’ 12.12 (84) to the Blues’ 11.15 (81).

But unfortunately for Carlton fans, the loss now leaves them in genuine danger of missing the top eight, having lost three of their last four games.

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THE 3-2-1...

3 – ALL-TIME THRILLER TURNS WAY OF PIES AS FINALS HOPES STAY ALIVE

In the most dramatic of circumstances, Collingwood have kept their finals chances alive thanks to an after the siren miss from gun Blues defender Mitch McGovern.

And fittingly, milestone man Scott Pendlebury was on the right side of the ledger in his 400th game at the top level – and it was business as usual for the ever-cool Pies legend despite the big stage.

“Once the siren started, it felt normal – in terms of my legs and energy I felt great out there,” Pendlebury told Fox Footy post-game.

The man of the moment racked up 27 disposals, nine clearances, six tackles and six inside 50s in an inspired performance that has very much given life to his side’s once-dwindling finals chances.

The two sides couldn’t be separated at quarter time, with Carlton registering eight behinds in a frustrating first term in and around goal.

Usual suspect Nick Daicos set the MCG alight early on with 10 disposals and two clearances by the opening break, and caught the eye of Melbourne great Garry Lyon in Fox Footy’s commentary box.

“Nick Daicos has been absolutely superb … it just gets the crowd involved,” said Lyon at quarter time.

“The pressure is amazing … Carlton really should be in front, they certainly had the run of the play for a fair chunk (of the first quarter),” Brisbane legend Jonathan Brown added.

Collingwood eeked out to a 13-point lead by half time, with Jordan de Goey and Mason Cox doing the heavy lifting in attack for the black and white – while the younger Daicos continued on his merry way.

“They are swarming this Carlton side – a couple of big moments for Carlton, (and) the players haven’t stood up,” four-time Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis said at the main break.

“They’ve looked dangerous at times, they know that if they’re going to go all the way to September glory, they need to be able to attack from one end of the ground to the other,” added Brown.

“Collingwood are back for mine … that is what we’ve been waiting for all year; that sort of pressure and fanaticism,” Lyon explained.

“Hewett hasn’t been disgraceful by any stretch of the imagination, but Nick Daicos again had a big say in things.”

Three-time Richmond premiership player Jack Riewoldt added that Daicos’ work rate was what helped set himself apart from his opponents, with the 21-year-old finishing with 28 disposals, eight inside 50s and seven clearances for the match.

“He’s just got this incredible work rate; he’s worth at least two players – when he gets the ball, he actually gives it to players and creates the opportunities,” said Riewoldt.

Collingwood blew themselves out as 25-point leaders at the final break, with Michael Voss’ Carlton well and truly on the ropes with a quarter to play.

But once the margin hit a game-high 32 points, the Blues flicked a switch that nearly created one of the all-time modern era upsets.

Consecutive goals to Elijah Hollands, Matt Owies, Jack Martin, Blake Acres and Ollie Hollands brought them within two points, before a Jamie Elliott behind made it three.

Mitch McGovern’s mark inside 50 was fitting given the chaotic nature of the last quarter, but as we now know, Pendlebury prevailed with the last laugh in front of 86,879 fans as his kick failed to register a score.

Nic Newman held a huge amount of control throughout the night for Carlton, amassing 34 touches and 12 marks at a disposal efficiency of 91.2 per cent.

George Hewett (32 disposals, 12 clearances) and Sam Walsh (30 disposals) were admirable, but were in the end overcome by the likes of Pendlebury in the midfield and Will Hoskin-Elliott (19 disposals, 2.2, 11 score involvements) up forward.

The Pies are now only a game outside the top eight, while Carlton could slip to eighth with a GWS win over Hawthorn on Sunday afternoon.

2 – PENDLEBURY’S 400th AS GOOD AS IMAGINABLE

On Saturday night, Scott Pendlebury became the sixth player in VFL/AFL history to play 400 or more games at the highest level of Australian rules football – and became the third of his counterparts to celebrate the milestone with a win; no doubt the most dramatic victory fo the lot too.

The 36-year-old started like a house on fire in the first term, racking up nine disposals and two rebound 50s to give his side the early edge; oblivious to the incredible finish to the game that would unfold two hours later.

Despite his veteran status, Pendlebury was by no means going to shy away from a big match up, lining up on Carlton captain Patrick Cripps at the opening bounce and going head-to-head throughout the match.

The two-time premiership player’s 27 disposals challenged Cripps’ 30 disposals and a goal, which ultimately wasn’t enough to pull his side over the line and spoil Pendlebury’s party.

“He’s had a fantastic battle, both he and Cripps have had an impact in this game,” Melbourne great Garry Lyon said at half-time.

“He’s so process-driven; you can see he’s in the moment now, he’s influencing in his 400th game,” former Collingwood coach and club legend Nathan Buckley added.

“He loves the big-bodied midfielders, and I think he’s been excellent with it – he’ll lean in on those players at stoppage, he’ll try and affect their ability to influence aerially.”

Also a former teammate to Pendlebury in his early years, Buckley gave insight into the week’s special occasion.

“It’s been an amazing journey to witness what we’re seeing tonight – I think we should take a moment to pause about it, only the sixth player to play 400 (games),” Buckley added.

“When I saw the vision with four of the other five guys that have done it, it sort of brings home how significant that actually is.”

Pendlebury’s milestone game now has the opportunity to rejuvenate Collingwood’s improbable premiership defence against a grossly out-of-form Sydney next Friday night.

1 – INJURIES DECIMATES BLUES, PIES STARS

In a cruel blow to a quartet of players with eyes only for finals, both Carlton and Collingwood will be sweating big time on the fitness of multiple stars.

The Blues’ luck with injury was bad from the get-go, with former Docker Adam Cerra and cult hero Matt Cottrell both ruled out of the game before half time.

Cerra’s hamstring was what saw him ruled out early, while Cottrell’s shoulder was causing him far too much grief to continue.

“Cerra appeared to injure his hamstring while chasing Jordan de Goey in the second quarter – that would be five hamstrings over the last 12 months for Adam Cerra,” reporter David Zita said post-game on Fox Footy.

“The pre-finals bye may do him wonders, if they even make it to the finals now.”

In the third term it was Collingwood’s turn to suffer, with Jordan de Goey grabbing uneasily at his hamstring just minutes before the final break.

“You could see him grab immediately at it, he could barely put any weight on the foot – went off the ground, didn’t look like a very good hamstring injury if there is such a thing,” Zita added.

“He was back on the ground with crutches on the sidelines very shortly after – he had put his hamstring woes behind him for the most part … obviously the groin’s been troubling him, clearly it’s returned with a vengeance.”

And with just under 14 minutes to play in the match, superstar forward and Coleman Medal leader Charlie Curnow limped off the ground in notable pain.

Curnow’s stint on the interchange was admittedly brief with his side already one man down since half time, with his incredible goals streak coming to an end after kicking a goal in every game since Round 1 of 2022.

COLLINGWOOD v CARLTON - AS IT HAPPENED
There were no late changes at the MCG, with Patrick Lipinski (Magpies) and Matthew Kennedy (Blues) the two respective substitutes.

It was a wild first quarter at the sporting colosseum, with behind after behind keeping the scorekeepers busy.

There were six behinds between the Magpies and Blues before Jordan de Goey kicked the match’s opening goal from close range.

Nick Daicos kicked his first for the night to give Collingwood their second, as the Blues continued to register rushed behinds and missed shots on goal.

Only on the siren did a Harry McKay dribble kick give Carlton a goal with some elite precision.

At quarter time, the scorecard read: Collingwood 2.2 (14) to Carlton’s 1.8 (14).

Mason Cox and Dan McStay kicked the first two for Collingwood in the second term, as the Pies seemed to have the edge despite Carlton’s plethora of scores.

On cue though, Elijah Hollands and Lachie Fogarty dragged their Blues back into the contest, as the MCG tempo lifted significantly among the huge crowd.

de Goey and Cox’s second goals gave the Pies back a 14-point lead with two and a half minutes to go before half time, with the latter’s goal causing a scuffle between the two sides.

At half time, the scorecard read: Collingwood 6.6 (42) to Carlton’s 3.11 (29).

Nick Daicos had a goal and 16 disposals at the main break, but wasn’t as efficient as coach Craig McRae may’ve hoped.

Teammate Will Hoskin-Elliott had an impressive seven score involvements from his 10 disposals.

“Collingwood are back for mine … that is what we’ve been waiting for all year; that sort of pressure and fanaticism,” Melbourne great Garry Lyon said on Fox Footy’s half-time analysis.

Jack Crisp and Hoskin-Elliott got the Pies off to a fast start in the premiership quarter, before Carlton captain Patrick Cripps and Jack Martin nullified their majors straight after.

Bobby Hill and Fogarty’s second goal kept up the theme of a busy third term, as the Blues begun to find their feet.

The Pies’ five goals in the penultimate quarter put them in the box seat for a crucial win, outscoring Carlton’s three majors.

Star Pie Jordan de Goey went down in the final minutes of the quarter with a hamstring injury and was instantly subbed out, joining opponents Adam Cerra (hamstring) and Matt Cottrell (shoudler) on the sidelines for the rest of the match.

At the final break, the scorecard read: Collingwood 11.9 (75) leading Carlton’s 6.14 (50).

Jamie Elliott kicked his first for the night to start the final quarter, before Elijah Hollands kicked his second less than 90 seconds later to keep the Blues’ faint hopes in tact.

The Blues kicked back with another goal via Matt Owies, but all eyes were on Coleman Medal leader Charlie Curnow, who went to the bench in notable pain after the major.

Martin, Blake Acres and Oli Hollands then kicked the next three goals to send Blues fans into hysterics with not long left on the clock.

Not for the first time before, Mitch McGovern marked in the dying seconds against Collingwood with the game on the line - reminiscent of his shot on goal against them in 2017 which gave his former club the Crows a draw.

But unfortunately for McGovern, it wasn’t to be a second time around with his shot after the siren going out on the full, and giving Pendlebury the ultimate jubilation in game 400.

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