Pies fall agonisingly short in Brisbane: VFL key takeaways

Collingwood has fallen just short of a fantastic victory on the road, going down to Brisbane by two points at Brighton Homes Arena.

Collingwood has fallen just short of a fantastic victory on the road, going down to Brisbane by two points at Brighton Homes Arena.

A fast start by the Lions saw the visitors trail by more than four goals at the first change, however a brilliant second term swung the momentum and the scoreboard, as the Pies reduced the margin to six points at half time.

The topsy-turvy nature of the game continued in the third, with Brisbane wrestling momentum back with a four goal to one term, yet things were to change again.

Despite conceding the first goal of the last quarter, the Pies rallied to kick five unanswered majors to cut the margin to single digits, led by Joe Richards.

Fantastic goals by Ryan Sparkes and Co-captain Campbell Lane kept the game on edge right until the very end, with Richards’ sixth goal coming after the siren and confirming a final score of 16. 7 (103) to 16.9 (105).

Richards dazzles up forward

Whether it was giving, receiving, or finishing the work himself, Joe Richards was everywhere on Friday. A roving goal in the first term was crucial and started his day off, with his hands at ground level continuing to be a feature of his game. Another brilliant roving snap on his non-preferred left foot was part of a four-goal second term for the Pies, as he lit the spark for the team. He did the same in the final term with three incredible goals, with his ability to snap on either side of his body fantastic. While it wasn’t enough to get the side over the line, his career-high six goals today, following on from three last week, have been part of a fantastic start to 2024.

Sullivan solid through the centre

After just two games for the Club, Lachie Sullivan has quickly shown why he was one of three players selected in this year’s SSP period last month. Often the first to get his hands on the ball at stoppages, the 26-year-old’s awareness in traffic and smart decision making consistently sets up his teammates and gets the ball moving forward for his side. Sullivan finished with 29 disposals and 10 clearances, backing up his 30 touches from Round One.

Sofronidis stars in defence

Tall defender Sam Sofronidis played the best game of his short Collingwood career on Friday afternoon, racking up 19 disposals across the half back line. Not afraid to roll off his man and intercept, the newly-signed VFL player showed poise and skill throughout all four quarters. He was involved in many plays in an eight-goal last quarter that almost saw the Pies topple the home side.

Second and fourth quarter bursts

Trailing by 27 points at quarter time, the Pies were in need of turning things around on Friday in the proceeding quarter. While they conceded the opening goal of the term, the Pies then pilled on five goals to quickly reduce the margin at the main break. Surging the ball forward through slick hands by any means possible was often the way forward, with goals to Harvey Harrison, Joe Richards and Harrison Kennedy all set up by brilliant team plays along the wings. Then down by four goals at three-quarter time, the Pies kicked eight final-quarter goals, including four from 177cm Richards. Many opportunistic snaps and clever chances, a Josh Carmichael long bomb with time running down cut the margin to two points, however it wasn’t quite enough to see the team home.

The Pies will have a league-wide bye next week, before taking on Carlton at Ikon Park in a fortnight’s time.