Collingwood Football Club made a powerful statement on Saturday night, March 15, 2025, defeating Port Adelaide by 91 points at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The game witnessed the Magpies bouncing back from their disappointing Opening Round loss against Greater Western Sydney, showcasing their resilience and competitive spirit.
Under the watchful eye of 63,282 fans, Collingwood's performance was marked by speed, pressure, and aggression—qualities starkly missing from their previous outing. The final score was Collingwood 21.10 (136) to Port Adelaide 6.9 (45), marking what will be remembered as one of the biggest wins of the season.
Collingwood entered this match with significant scrutiny, particularly focused on their age profile and fitness standards. At 28 years and 136 days, they were the fourth-oldest team to take the field, yet they showcased youthful energy and vigor, proving age is just a number. Even more notable, this match presented the first home appearance for Dan Houston, who returned from a five-game suspension, and he made quite the impact as he collected 27 disposals at 89 percent efficiency.
Houston's return sparked immediate improvements for the team, helping revitalize their ball movement, which had been sluggish against the Giants. He recorded 10 intercept possessions and contributed to six score involvements, demonstrating his value to the Magpies' midfield and backline.
Tim Membrey also marked his first home game for Collingwood with style, scoring three impressive goals during the first quarter alone. His performance was electric and set the tone for the rest of the match, as he thrived under the cheers of the home crowd. The trio of Membrey, Dan McStay, and Brody Mihocek combined for 10 goals, providing ample scoring power against Port Adelaide.
The first quarter was particularly indicative of the turnaround Collingwood sought. After a paltry return of just three goals against the Giants, they matched this tally within the opening frame against the Power, leading by 21 points at the break.
Port Adelaide, under coach Ken Hinkley, needed to respond and initially tried to match Collingwood’s intensity. Jason Horne-Francis emerged early with key clearances, and Travis Boak netted their first goal of the second term. Yet, the Magpies' relentless pressure exposed the Power's weaknesses, leading to numerous skill errors throughout the match.
Notably, Collingwood's tackling was significantly bolstered from their previous outing, where they ended with only 39 tackles against the Giants. They achieved 38 tackles by half-time alone against Port, emphasizing their commitment to defensive pressure.
Soon after, as Membrey slotted his second goal, the lead widened to 34 points, and Collingwood took complete control. Brayden Maynard added to this momentum by kicking two goals rapidly from almost identical positions, showcasing the team's offensive power.
Nick Daicos, last season’s Copeland Trophy winner, also shone with 26 disposals, easing concerns over his fitness after struggles with cramps previously. His skillful gameplay complemented Houston’s revitalized presence and Membrey’s goal-scoring prowess.
Port Adelaide's performance drew scrutiny, as 13 players had one tackle or fewer, highlighting their lack of intensity. Hinkley, who faced the biggest losing margin of his 275-game coaching career, will surely need to reassess his strategies moving forward, especially with the plans for succession already underway.
Despite the short distance of this match for fans, its long-term impact cannot be understated for both teams. For Collingwood, the massive win is a confidence boost, setting high expectations for the remainder of the season. Conversely, it raises pressing questions for Port Adelaide’s immediate future and the need for them to respond to avoid falling behind early.
“A week, as they say, is a long time in football,” noted observers, and both clubs will certainly be under the microscope as they prepare for their next clashes.
With such contrasting fortunes displayed at the MCG, round two is sure to be pivotal for both teams as they seek to establish themselves firmly within the season's narrative. Collingwood has forged momentum with this emphatic victory, making it abundantly clear they are here to compete, not merely to participate.
Collingwood’s next fixture will be closely watched, as they look to build on this fruitful performance, leaving Port to reassess and strategize effectively after this humbling defeat.