In a closely contested matchup, Collingwood edged out the Western Bulldogs 10.16 (76) to 10.10 (70), leaving the Bulldogs unable to appropriately honour their centenary while competing as Footscray. A significant incident occurred late in the final quarter when Rory Lobb’s attempt to spoil a mark from Mason Cox resulted in an injury, leaving Cox bloodied and necessitating his exit from the field.
Commentators expressed concern over Lobb’s actions, with Garry Lyon noting that he might face disciplinary action due to the nature of the collision. Jason Dunstall defended Lobb, suggesting that it looked like an honest attempt to play the ball while acknowledging that Cox would likely bear the brunt of a swollen face from the clash.
Cox appeared with noticeable cuts as he headed to the sidelines, although he and Lobb maintained sportsmanship by shaking hands at the final whistle. The match had its tense moments, especially for Collingwood’s Dan McStay, who nearly botched a critical scoring opportunity just before half-time. Rather than taking a straightforward shot from 20 metres out to equalise the scores, he attempted to pass to Tim Membrey but ultimately failed to connect, resulting in a behind. This misstep drew frustration from both fans and coach Craig McRae.
In a notable early incident, Collingwood’s Reef McInnes suffered an injury, likely an ACL tear, during a marking contest, which led to the activation of the team’s substitute player. Despite losing McInnes, the Bulldogs managed to lead the first quarter by six points. However, the match seesawed as Collingwood surged forward after halftime, gaining an eight-point lead by the third quarter.
The final quarter saw Footscray rally back, with Joel Freijah’s goal drawing the scores level as just seven minutes remained. Yet, Collingwood responded with a behind from Lobb and a subsequent goal from Steele Sidebottom, which shifted the momentum back into their favour. The final minutes showcased a determined effort from the Bulldogs to alter the outcome, but ultimately, a solitary behind was all they managed, sealing the victory for Collingwood and marking their second win for the season.
As the dust settles on this dramatic encounter, the focus now shifts to potential repercussions for Lobb and how both teams will navigate the challenges of the ensuing games.