Sydney got out of jail at the SCG. The ladder-leading Swans were jumped by 22 points by an undermanned Collingwood, kicked one goal to half-time, looked nothing like the highest-scoring side in the competition for two quarters, and somehow won 11.15 (81) to 10.15 (75). Seven straight, top spot held, and a six-goal third quarter the only reason any of that sentence is true. Marn Grook night at the SCG with the Swans' Indigenous greats on the ground at three-quarter time, and a Pies team missing Scott Pendlebury, Darcy Moore, Patrick Lipinski and Darcy Cameron almost pulled the upset of the round.
The Ambush at Quarter Time
Five goals two for the Pies in the first quarter, one goal four for the Swans. The score read Collingwood 32, Sydney 10. Will Hayes and Charlie West, the two recalled forwards, both kicked, and the Pies' centre-square work outscored Sydney in clearances and inside 50s with a side missing four of their best. Brodie Grundy did the ruck work that was expected, racking up 46 hitouts and 34 disposals, but the Sydney midfield got nothing out of it, with Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner trapped on the wrong side of the contest. Pies forward Jamie Elliott had one goal at quarter time, Roan Steele another, and Angus Anderson the third, all six-pointers without much resistance.
The Six-Goal Third That Flipped It
Sydney kicked 6.6 to 2.3 in the third quarter, with Nick Blakey running the show. Blakey finished with 39 disposals and 10 marks, best on ground in a game where Grundy had a strong claim, and his rebound work from half back gave the Swans the territory they had been missing. Tom Papley booted both his goals in the second half, including the steadier that turned the game. Logan McDonald kicked two and looked the part. Charlie Curnow had three scoring shots in his first game back from injury and finished with one goal, one behind. The Swans hit the final break in front and Collingwood, despite kicking two of the last three majors through Daniel McStay and Anderson, never quite got level. Six points the final margin, the Pies' Jordan De Goey racking up 29 disposals but missing the moment that would have stolen it.
Where the Markets Land
Sydney went around at $1.20 head-to-head with the line stretched out beyond four goals, and they were nearly the get of the year for Pies backers. The under stayed alive most of the night but the final 21.30 game total cleared 175.5 and the line under was the bet that landed for anyone who held. Coleman markets shift again. Papley anytime is back in after a two-goal contribution at dabble, Ladbrokes and bet365. McDonald 3+ goals has not landed in three weeks now and the price is drifting. Heeney Brownlow markets shorten a touch because the Swans are now 9-1 and remain the top side in the competition. Pies' premiership futures drift again. Round 11 sends Collingwood to the MCG against West Coast for Scott Pendlebury's record 433rd game on Saturday 23 May. Sydney travel to GWS in Round 11 in the Sydney Derby. Full Round 10 Friday match report via AFL.com.au.