Collingwood revived its fortunes with a hard-fought victory over the Bulldogs, winning by 10.16 (76) to 10.9 (69) on March 21, 2025, at the MCG. The game turned into a nail-biter, with the Pies only capitalizing on their opportunities late in the match to seal the victory.
The game started on a rough note for Collingwood; they were scoreless for much of the first quarter, struggling to find their rhythm. Meanwhile, a suspected ACL injury for defender Reef McInnes cast a shadow on their early game strategy. However, the team rebounded quickly, led by Steele Sidebottom, who shone in the clutch moments.
Setting the stage late in the game, Sidebottom kicked the match-sealing goal in the final three-and-a-half minutes, leading to a euphoric celebration in front of 78,027 fans present at the MCG. “It was nice to get the sealer because I might have cost us one in the middle of the ground,” said Sidebottom, referencing a previous turnover. His performance solidified Collingwood's position after a rocky start to the season where they had suffered a humiliating 52-point loss to GWS.
The bout was marked by a lop-sided free-kick count, ending 33-14 in favor of the Pies. This discrepancy drew scrutiny and sparked concern among commentators and fans alike. James Brayshaw commented, “In an era of opinion television and opinion radio, everything gets dissected... a 33-14 free kick line will be discussed long beyond tonight.”
Controversy continued as a deliberate out of bounds call against Bailey Dale in the fourth quarter raised eyebrows. “There’s no reason why that would be deliberate,” stated former player Dale Thomas. Is this a byproduct of the stringent officiating? Or just a confusion in the heated tension of the game?
The Bulldogs, despite their loss, showed tenacity with Sam Darcy netting four goals, showcasing his prowess around the field, while Tom Liberatore emerged as a key player for Footscray, racking up 34 disposals and helping maintain pressure on Collingwood throughout the mid-game.
After the match, Bulldogs' coach Luke Beveridge addressed the free-kick count cautiously to avoid further scrutiny. “It’s not a safe space for any senior coach to be talking about adjudication in the game,” said Beveridge, masking his feelings on what he believed were missed calls against his team. As the Doggies regroup for their next match against Carlton, they’ll have their eyes set on areas to improve.
Collingwood, on a better trajectory now, looks forward to the bye and a chance to rest before returning to the field. Meanwhile, the Magpies celebrated a significant milestone as Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury marked their 308th game together as teammates, breaking the record for most games played together in VFL/AFL history.
Coupling Sidebottom's performance with Nick Daicos' 39 disposals and nine clearances, Collingwood is aiming to build on this momentum and push toward stronger standings in the league. It was a richly deserved victory that not only bounced back from an early season blemish but also injected the side with optimism.
As the Bulldogs prepare for their next matchup against Carlton, questions will linger around their strategy and adjustments in the face of a seemingly uneven playing field during the match against Collingwood. Will the team be able to sharpen their execution and turn the tide in their upcoming game?
As the season unfolds, one thing remains clear: every match counts and the competition is tighter than ever.
