World News Cats shake off Magpies to charge into AFL top four Blog

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Geelong secured a hard-fought 20-point victory over Collingwood to move into the AFL top four and dent the reigning champions’ finals ambitions.

In a changeable game on Friday in front of 73,435 fans at the MCG, the Cats rose to the occasion in the decisive moment of the final quarter, shaking off the Magpies and taking a 13.13 (91) to 10.11 (71) victory.

Geelong (44 points) jumps to third place with its third consecutive win, ahead of Fremantle and Essendon, who are yet to play, while Collingwood (36 points) is in tenth place.

Cats captain Patrick Dangerfield (22 touches, 10 inside the 50s) and Max Holmes (27 possessions) were explosive in midfield.

Jeremy Cameron scored three goals and young defender Lawson Humphries impressed.

Shannon Neale scored two goals but was substituted after being hit in the throat.

Magpies star Nick Daicos recorded 32 possessions and 11 clearances, while Jamie Elliott (two goals) made a superb comeback to lead an injury-plagued and undersized attack.

Magpie Darcy Cameron dominated the ruck in terms of hitouts (58), but Sam De Koning (22 touches) had the ball frequently.

Geelong were in top form from the start, scoring the first three goals of the game, two of them within the first 40 seconds.

But Collingwood calmed down and responded with four majors in a row.

Elliott scored a wonderful goal from distance and blew a cheering kiss to the crowd as he gave the Magpies a one-goal lead after the first quarter.

Cats superstar Cameron scored two early goals to restore the team’s lead early in the second half.

Magpies star Nick Daicos grabbed his left thigh after an accidental knee from Tom Atkins but continued playing.

The Cats went into halftime with a four-point lead.

Cameron scored his third goal to put Geelong ahead by 10 points before Elliott set up Jordan De Goey for a goal before taking a layup of his own to put the Magpies back in front.

Tyson Stengle and Ollie Dempsey scored to give Geelong an 11-point lead before the final change.

Tom Stewart and Lachie Schultz clashed heads violently early in the fourth quarter, leaving the Star Cat with a split eyebrow and taking the Collingwood forward out of the game.

Former Magpie Oliver Henry scored a magnificent long-range goal towards the end of the half, virtually securing the win.

The Pies play Hawthorn at the MCG next Saturday, while Geelong host the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium the same night.

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