Tempers flare at the MCG as Geelong and Collingwood come to blows in feisty Friday night clash with Cats gun Zach Tuohy’s jumper RIPPED after kicking two goals for reigning premiers
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It was billed as a Friday night blockbuster and it certainly delivered for fireworks as tempers flared between Geelong and Collingwood at the MCG.
A thrilling first quarter, in which 11 goals were shared between the two heavyweights, ended with handbags as players from both sides came to blows on the siren.
Irishman Zach Tuohy, who contributed two goals for his side on St Patrick’s Day, was at the centre of the fracas as he engaged in a shoving contest with his opposite number.
As he was escorted away from the confrontation, his jumper was completely ripped and in need of replacing by the backroom staff.
Over 85,000 fans flocked to the MCG for a huge contest between two sides that provided one of the greatest finals matches last season.
Geelong and Collingwood came to blows at the MCG on Friday night
On that occasion, the Cats pipped their rivals by six points and went on to win the premiership after dominating Sydney in the grand final.
Craig McRae’s side are back with a vengeance and are hoping to go one better this campaign, while the Cats are under new leadership after captain Joel Selwood’s retirement. Patrick Dangerfield now leads the side.
Cool heads prevailed for the Pies who went on to secure a 125-103 victory over the Cats, although a sickening injury to gun defender Jeremy Howe threatened to dampen spirits.
The Magpies swamped Geelong with an eight-goal run from late in the third term and kicked five goals to none in the last quarter for an impressive win.
Jordan De Goey, one of Collingwood’s best, put an exclamation mark on the win with a booming 50 metre shot for his third goal late in the last term.
It is Collingwood’s highest score since 2018, when they made the grand final.
‘I had great belief coming here tonight. I’m driving in, thinking I’m really excited for what could be, knowing we’ve done the work,’ McRae said.
The Cats edged out Collingwood by six points in last year’s epic qualifying final – one of the games of the season – on the way to the premiership, and this was another classic.
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