Magpies pulverise sorry Cats

Geelong's winning run is over after Collingwood rediscovered its competitive edge to deliver its best performance of the season and stun the reigning premier by 86 points at the MCG on Friday night.

Save for a five-minute burst at the start of the second half, the Magpies comprehensively outplayed Geelong setting up the 20.14 (134) to 7.6 (48) demolition with a powerhouse first half when they outscored the Cats 11 goals to three.

Geelong threatened briefly in the opening minutes of the third quarter kicking three goals in less than five minutes to draw within 33 points but after Alan Didak steadied, the Magpies piled on a further four goals to have the game in their keeping by the last break.

Displaying all the ferocity and tenacity they showed when narrowly beaten in last year's epic preliminary final, the Magpies smothered the normally free-flowing Cats who this time did not have injured ruckman Brad Ottens to get them out of jail.

The Magpies amassed a staggering 85 tackles, 56 of which came in the first half as they turned the Cats into a side which bore no semblance at all to the one which had won 27 of its previous 28 matches.

Normally reliable players such as Joel Selwood and Corey Enright made uncharacteristic errors, even the game's premier defender Matthew Scarlett was below par.

He endured a horror opening to the game, one which saw him run down by Scott Pendlebury after having an eternity to dispose of the ball and on another occasion he conceded 50m after interfering with Leon Davis while standing the mark.

For the first time this season the absence of all-Australian defender Matthew Egan left the Cats' defence wanting.

Travis Cloke with nine marks and four goals outclassed Harry Taylor, repeatedly outsmarting the young Cat, particularly when doubling back towards goal.

Geelong's midfield also had a rare off night, Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel never recovered from his early towelling at the hands of Dale Thomas - who kicked the goal of the night in the last quarter - and had little influence on the game.

His partner-in-crime Gary Ablett, while easily Geelong's best player, was not allowed to break lines from stoppages but could at least say he won his position.

The story was completely different for the Magpies who had winners across every line.

In attack or in the midfield, Alan Didak was a constant thorn in Geelong's side. He ran Tom Harley off his legs and was given too much latitude in the middle by Andrew Mackie.

Marty Clarke played one of his best games of the year, eclipsing livewire forward Mathew Stokes while Harry O'Brien completely shut down Steve Johnson who played one of his worst games since his return from an off-field indiscretion last year.

The Cats had been flirting with their form in recent weeks and on this occasion Collingwood made sure they went home empty-handed and, in doing so, breaking open the premiership race.

COLLINGWOOD: 6.4, 11.6, 16.8, 20.14 (134)
GEELONG: 2.2, 3.3, 6.5, 7.6 (48)
GOALS: Collingwood: Cloke 4, Medhurst 3, Davis 2, Didak 2, Bryan, Clarke, Fraser, Johnson, Lockyer, Pendlebury, Rocca, H.Shaw, Thomas
Geelong: Ablett 2, Gamble, Hawkins, Mooney, Varcoe, Wojcinski
BEST: Collingwood: Didak, Cloke, O'Brien, Clarke, Thomas, Pendlebury
Geelong: Ablett, Milburn, Blake
INJURIES: Brisbane Lions: TBC
Melbourne: TBC
REPORTS: Nil.
CHANGES: Paul Chapman was replaced by Travis Varcoe in Geelong 's selected side
UMPIRES: McBurney, Kennedy, Jeffery.
CROWD: 78,206 at the MCG

Sportal AFL Player of the Year votes:
3. Alan Didak (Collingwood)
2. Travis Cloke (Collingwood)
1. Harry O'Brien (Collingwood)