MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Steele Sidebottom, Harry O'Brien and Dale Thomas of the Magpies celebrate winning the first preliminary final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 23, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Joy on the bright red face of Eddie McGuire, fists pumped in the air, screaming. Tears falling down the face of Mick Malthouse, shock in his eyes. Alastair Clarkson’s knuckles red from punching the top of the coaching box. Lance Franklin, young and slim, limp, face flat on the ground. These are the images that stick in the mind from Collingwood’s fourth-quarter comeback in 2011 which sent the reigning minor premiers to the grand final once more.
The Pies were never out of the game, but down 37- 53 with sixteen minutes left, things were not looking crash hot. Collingwood were the minor premiers, but the Hawks didn’t often give up the leads. It all started with something that was commonplace for the club: an inside 50 bomb, marked by Chris Dawes, set shot, goal.
From there it was frantic, Leon Davis sent one through the big ones from outside 50 perfectly dropping the footy on to his swooping left leg. Four-point game. 14 minutes left, a calming goal for the Hawks from Luke Hodge (who else?) and the game was back to 10. Three minutes later, Dane Swan, in all his tattooed glory, kicked a goal from the right pocket that on replay looks like it is in fast-forward. Four points. Then, Travis Cloke, too big, too strong, rising above the rest in almost the exact same spot as Dawes had taken a much easier mark just minutes before. The lead stolen in the firm, gloved hand of Cloke.
But the Hawks weren’t finished. Enter Lance ‘Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better’ Franklin. The entry ball to the right pocket was sloppy, the coverage was tight. He slapped the ball to the ground and wheeled to his left. The ball sprung to his hand, like it was destined to. He dropped it on his left foot and grubbered it through like he could control its trajectory with his mind.
A minute later, Luke Ball got the ball off one bounce from a stoppage and planted it on his left foot from (where else?) the right pocket. Two-point Pies lead.
A rushed point into the post by Hawthorn extended the lead to three, but it wasn’t enough to put the game to bed. The Collingwood defence in the final minute and a half was smothering. With 40 seconds left, Cyril Rioli came reeling out of the back fifty from a throw-in. The Collingwood faithful collectively held their breath. He looked to the left wing, then centered, searching. Daisy smashed into him, from out of nowhere for his ninth and most important tackle. Holding the ball. Game.