COLLINGWOOD has survived a huge scare, outlasting a gallant Brisbane by seven points at the Gabba on Sunday night.
In a pulsating match, Lions skipper and former Magpie Dayne Beams levelled the scores with a clutch set shot from 50m with two minutes remaining.
PIES PUT AWAY LIONS: Full match coverage and stats
But Chris Mayne scrapped a behind to put the Magpies in front and Jaidyn Stephenson iced the win with a goal in the dying seconds when he ran into an empty goalsquare.
Collingwood won 19.7 (121) to 18.6 (114) to move to a 4-3 record – narrowly outside the top eight on percentage - ahead of a huge match at the MCG next Sunday against Geelong.
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The Magpies' win was even more meritorious considering they played the final quarter-and-a-half without skipper Scott Pendlebury who was taken off with an ankle injury in the third term and did not return.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley had mixed emotions after the victory.
"I can't say it was pleasant viewing from our perspective," he said.
"That was the worst we've defended all year, but we were able to show enough pluck to get the job done.
"There's a lot we'll have a look at that we won't like on tape, but we get the four points and the lesson, which is a good problem to have."
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They led by 19 points early in the last quarter and the toll of three games in 12 days looked to be too much as the Lions stormed home, but the visitors steadied.
Jordan De Goey was brilliant all night and proved the difference between the teams, kicking five goals – and giving the handpass for Stephenson's match-sealer – while Steele Sidebottom (34 touches) continued his fine season.
WATCH: The sealer
For the Lions, it was yet another heartbreaking defeat.
Dayne Zorko returned to form in stunning fashion, set free to play without the handbrake of a tagger, and kicked four goals in his 34 disposals to go with 10 tackles.
Beams (31 touches and two goals) was also fantastic, Lewy Taylor (four goals) had his best game of the season and first-year players Cam Rayner and Zac Bailey made huge contributions.
WATCH: Zorko flies
It was the fifth time in their seven losses the Lions have been within a kick during the last quarter.
"At some point in time we’ll start winning those, but the good thing is we’re having them – we’re in games," Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said.
"I really rate that performance by us tonight. In terms of our development, probably, in my short time at the club, that’s our best performance."
At the end of a week where the state of the game was highly scrutinised, the two teams played a thrilling duel with fantastic goalkicking.
In a scrappy first quarter where the Lions butchered the ball going into their forward 50, Collingwood made the most of its chances to lead by seven points.
The second term was a complete reversal of ball use, a thrilling 13-goal exhibition of open, attacking footy.
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With neither team deciding to clamp down on opposition midfielders, Brisbane kicked seven goals to six as the momentum swung wildly.
Adam Treloar goaled from 50m in the opening 15 seconds after a wonderful long handpass from Pendlebury into his path, and that opened the floodgates for the exciting term.
The Lions kicked four straight, the Pies answered with four of their own – three to Queenslander Josh Thomas – before the home team went into the main change trailing by three points after kicking the final three of the half.
While the big names of Zorko, Beams, Pendlebury and Sidebottom did their thing, fourth-gamer Bailey was super impressive for Brisbane, showing composure while many around him floundered.
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MEDICAL ROOM
Brisbane: The only minor scare came in the second quarter when Jarrod Berry went down with an ankle injury. However, the second-year midfielder hobbled around for a while and was back running in no time to finish the game strongly.
Collingwood: The major concern for the Magpies is Scott Pendlebury. Coach Nathan Buckley confirmed his skipper had a sprained ankle and said "we'll know more in the next day or two", but you'd think he'd have to be in some doubt for next week.
NEXT UP
Collingwood will try to move into the top eight when it plays Geelong at the MCG next Sunday afternoon. Brisbane will be out to break its winless start against the Western Bulldogs next Saturday at Etihad Stadium.
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BRISBANE 3.0 10.0 14.2 18.6 (114)
COLLINGWOOD 4.2 10.3 15.4 19.7 (121)
GOALS
Brisbane: Zorko 4, Taylor 4, McStay 2, D.Beams 2, Robinson, McInerney, McLuggage, Berry, Cameron, Bailey
Collingwood: De Goey 5, Thomas 3, Stephenson 2, Pendlebury, Mayne, Howe, Treloar, Moore, Phillips, Cox, Varcoe, Hoskin-Elliott
BEST
Brisbane: Zorko, Taylor, Rayner, Beams, Martin, Bailey
Collingwood: De Goey, Thomas, Sidebottom, Phillips, Howe
INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Collingwood: Pendlebury (ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Whetton, Williamson
Official crowd: 21,850 at the Gabba
