> Watch Harry O'Brien speak to CTV in the MCG rooms after the round 18 win over the Brisbane Lions In front of over 47,000 at the MCG on Saturday night, Collingwood rallied from a first half deficit to eventually run over the Brisbane Lions to record a 40-point win; 12.23 (95) to 8.7 (55).
Down by 14 points heading into the main break, the Magpie defence held the Lions to one goal for the entire second half to record their ninth win from 10 matches.
When veteran defender Simon Prestigiacomo went off early in the first quarter after clashing heads with Jonathan Brown, the Magpie defence was forced to reshuffle their gameplan to account for the loss. Harry O’Brien played a pivotal role down back on the night, getting the better of Daniel Merrett and Jared Brennan.
“It was a slow start but it was good to get back to our game structures after half time,” O’Brien told CTV in the rooms after the match.
“We stuck to our structures, something we weren’t doing earlier on, they (Brisbane) were able to get it into Jonathan Brown and it took a good job by everyone to tighten up.”
The 22-year-old believed the win showcased the maturity of the young Magpie side, a team featuring three first-year players (Jaxson Barham, Steele Sidebottom and Dayne Beams).
> Watch the team sing the song in the rooms after the win
"At the half we had to not lose our cool. We knew it would come and just to keep a cool head.
"We composed ourselves and were able to put together two strong quarters to get the win."
The win puts Collingwood on 48 points for the season and secures a spot for September action.
“Finals is always a goal and now our sights are set on claiming a top-four spot.”
