Josh Daicos and Jack Ginnivan celebrate a goal during the semi-final between Collingwood and Fremantle at the MCG on September 10, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

THE SHOW rolls on. 

Collingwood's fairytale season under first-year coach Craig McRae has at least another chapter after the Magpies dispatched Fremantle by 20 points on Saturday night to progress to a preliminary final date with Sydney at the SCG next weekend.  

Just 12 months after finishing 17th with just six wins, the Magpies dusted themselves off after last Saturday night's heartbreaking loss to Geelong to progress to the second-last weekend of the season after the 11.13 (79) to 9.5 (59) win at the MCG. 

MAGPIES v DOCKERS Full match coverage and stats

A preliminary final berth wasn't on Collingwood's radar when it travelled to Perth at 4-5 to face Fremantle on a Sunday night in May. The Pies got going in the wet that night, winning 11 on the trot and have only lost twice since then. Now they are one of only four teams still alive.

07:45

Highlights: Collingwood v Fremantle

The Magpies and Dockers clash in the semi finals

After a week of doubt surrounding the availability of Jordan De Goey, the out-of-contract star backed up his standout qualifying final performance with another box office display. 

This time, the 26-year-old shook off any concerns regarding the state of the shoulder he injured against the Cats, impacting from the opening quarter to the last, finishing with 24 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 12 score involvements and a goal.

FIVE TALKING POINTS Jack's box of tricks on show on the big stage

While De Goey had a major say in an even performance, Jack Crisp was equally as important through the middle of the ground, cutting the Dockers apart with 24 disposals, six clearances, 602 metres gained and two goals. 

02:22

Crisp cooks up storm on big stage

Jack Crisp applies some priceless pressure and kicks two goals to help guide the Pies towards a crucial win

Collingwood couldn't have started much better, kicking the first four – and only four – goals of the opening quarter, converting them without a blemish to lead the Dockers by 23 points at the first break. 

'WE'RE HERE TO WIN IT' McRae dreams big, sick Pie nearly missed final

Jack Ginnivan soccered a ball off the ground for the opening goal within 60 seconds, wheeled to the corner post like he was sprinting towards the Kop, sending the faithful into an early frenzy. Brody Mihocek snapped a second from the pocket, before De Goey and Jamie Elliott hit the scoreboard. 

00:42

Ginnivan gives Pies perfect start in classic crumb

Jack Ginnivan snares the opening goal of the game after reading the play to perfection

But given what happened this time last week at Optus Stadium, no one inside the MCG was writing off the Dockers at that point. Justin Longmuir demanded a response at quarter-time and the Dockers instantly responded. Lachie Schultz clamped John Noble in a tackle and converted the shot from 20 metres out to put Fremantle on the board. He snapped a second from the behind post after two more Collingwood goals, just keeping them in touch. 

HARD LESSON LEARNED Young Dockers can take plenty from their season

But it felt like Collingwood's night when Ginnivan earned a high free kick and celebrated with the supporters crammed into the Shane Warne Stand. Collingwood extended its lead to 28 points by the main break and should have been further ahead, kicking 2.6 in the second quarter. 

The Magpies kicked eight behinds in a row from the 14-minute mark of the second quarter to the moment Griffin Logue kicked Fremantle's third goal in the eighth minute of the third term.

00:33

Logue lands one more as Dockers hang in there

Griffin Logue benefits from a fine effort by Lachie Schultz to give Fremantle some hope

When Ash Johnson missed a golden opportunity to respond moments later, it was nine consecutive behinds for the Pies. It took something out of nothing from Ginnivan to finally break the run. He would finish with a third on another memorable night for the pesky small forward. 

From 6.0 to 7.12, it was only Collingwood's wastefulness in front of goal that kept Fremantle's season alive in the second half. But when Crisp and De Goey linked up through the middle and Mihocek kicked his second, the deep, ethereal Collingwood chant reverberated around the MCG. It was all but over. 

'A LOT WENT WRONG' Crowd, occasion get better of overawed Dockers

Fremantle recovered from 41 points down to stun the Western Bulldogs at home in the elimination final, but lightning wouldn't strike twice. Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and Blake Acres were all busy, while David Mundy's 376th game – eighth most in VFL/AFL history – would mark his last game with a vintage goal running towards the city end of the ground. 

00:45

Mundy magic one last time in heartwarming moment

Fremantle champion David Mundy is surrounded by teammates after earning a special goal in the last

More than 90,000 people packed into the MCG to break the record for biggest week two crowd of all-time featuring a non-Victorian side. The previous record between these two sides was half that. 

The last four times the current reigning Monarch passed away while still in power, Collingwood progressed to a Grand Final. Now they are one win away, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. 

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:42

    Ginnivan gives Pies perfect start in classic crumb

    Jack Ginnivan snares the opening goal of the game after reading the play to perfection

    AFL
  • 00:37

    Electrifying Elliott doesn't miss these ones

    Jamie Elliott receives a slick handball from Jordan De Goey and finishes with class

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Schultz sinks Pie in crunching tackle for Freo's first

    The Dockers were crying out for a major and Lachie Schultz delivers with this brilliant effort

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Logue lands one more as Dockers hang in there

    Griffin Logue benefits from a fine effort by Lachie Schultz to give Fremantle some hope

    AFL
  • 00:37

    Jack in the box gets 'G buzzing again

    The Magpies capitalise on their dominance with this great Jack Ginnivan goal

    AFL
  • 00:34

    Sonny special gives Dockers one to cheer

    Michael Walters drills a much-needed major for Fremantle right on the brink of three-quarter time

    AFL
  • 00:37

    Cox seizes moment with coolest of finishes

    Mason Cox adds to his impressive outing with a slick goal in the final term

    AFL
  • 00:45

    Mundy magic one last time in heartwarming moment

    Fremantle champion David Mundy is surrounded by teammates after earning a special goal in the last

    AFL
  • 02:22

    Crisp cooks up storm on big stage

    Jack Crisp applies some priceless pressure and kicks two goals to help guide the Pies towards a crucial win

    AFL
  • 01:18

    We'll miss you, Mundy

    Dockers champion David Mundy is chaired off the ground after his sensational career comes to an end

    AFL
  • 09:02

    Full post-match, R23: Magpies

    Watch Collingwood's press conference after round 23's match against Fremantle

    AFL
  • 08:25

    Full post-match, R23: Dockers

    Watch Fremantle's press conference after round 23's match against Collingwood

    AFL
  • 15:02

    Mini-Match: Collingwood v Fremantle

    Extended highlights of the Magpies and Dockers clash in the semi finals

    AFL
  • 07:45

    Highlights: Collingwood v Fremantle

    The Magpies and Dockers clash in the semi finals

    AFL

COLLINGWOOD        4.0     6.6     8.12     11.13 (79)
FREMANTLE     0.1      2.2     4.4     9.5 (59)

GOALS
Collingwood: Ginnivan 3, Elliott 2, Crisp 2, Mihocek 2, Cox, De Goey
Fremantle: Logue 2, Schultz 2, Walters 2, Frederick 2, Mundy

BEST
Collingwood: Crisp, De Goey, Pendlebury, N.Daicos, Howe, Ginnivan
Fremantle: Serong, Brayshaw, Ryan, Schultz, Acres

INJURIES 
Collingwood: Nil
Fremantle: Acres (knee)

SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Josh Carmichael (unused)
Fremantle: Bailey Banfield (unused)

Crowd: 90,612 at the MCG