Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe was in agony as he was stretchered off the MCG with a fractured forearm within the Magpies’ pulsating 22-point AFL win over Geelong.
Howe had a horrifying collision with Geelong small ahead Tyson Stengle within the third time period of Friday night time’s eventful round-one conflict.
After trailing by as a lot as 22 factors within the third quarter, Collingwood roared again towards the reigning premiers and gained 19.11 (125) to 16.7 (103).
New Collingwood captain Darcy Moore was emotional post-match as he paid tribute to his fellow defender Howe.
“It is heartbreaking, we undergo a lot collectively as AFL gamers,” Moore instructed the Seven Community.
“It is fairly distressing and it is fairly tousled. We now have to neglect about it and get on with the job (after the harm).
‘A horrible a part of the sport’
“It is a horrible a part of the sport, however we count on nothing lower than Jeremy, he is an unbelievable teammate and he places his physique on the road.”
The Magpies swamped Geelong with an eight-goal run from late within the third time period and kicked 5 targets to none within the final quarter for a formidable win.
Jordan De Goey, one among Collingwood’s greatest, put an exclamation mark on the win with a booming 50m shot for his third aim late within the final time period.
The Cats edged out Collingwood by six factors in final yr’s epic qualifying ultimate – one of many video games of the season – on the best way to the premiership and this was one other basic.
Howe and Stengle contested a excessive ball and the Collingwood participant flew into the air from the influence.
He landed closely on his left arm and play was stopped for a number of minutes as he acquired medical consideration.
Howe wanted the so-called “inexperienced whistle” for some acute ache reduction and the Seven Community selected to not replay the incident.
Collingwood teammates ran over to him en masse as he was taken off the bottom. Stengle additionally needed to go away the sector from the influence of the collision, however was capable of return.
Accidents aplenty
The Magpies backman was essentially the most regarding harm in a rising casualty listing from the match.
Geelong vice-captain Tom Stewart was taken out of the sport at quarter-time due to a knee harm.
Fellow Cats defender Sam De Koning additionally needed to go away the sector with a knee downside, however was capable of return.
Final yr’s Rising Star Nick Daicos confirmed no early indicators of second-year blues with an excellent sport for the Magpies, racking up a match-high disposals.
Former Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury additionally shone within the midfield with 27 possessions and eight tackles.
Reef McInnes was subbed into the sport after Howe’s harm and he impressed with two targets.
In his first sport for Geelong, former Collingwood participant Ollie Henry had an evening of extremes.
Magpies followers booed him incessantly, however when he kicked a aim within the second time period Henry put his fingers to his ears in reply.
He was additionally on the middle of a quarter-time scuffle that resulted in teammate Zach Tuohy having his guernsey shredded.
A few minutes later, Henry was a bit informal as he bumped into an open aim and Moore chased him down with an excellent sort out – proper in entrance of the Collingwood military on the Ponsford Stand finish.
New Cats captain Patrick Dangerfield was their greatest with 22 possessions.
-AAP
