Wasteful Magpies draw with Demons

The Magpies scored 9.22 (76) to the Demons' 11.10 (76), the result costing
Collingwood a chance to overtake second-placed St Kilda, leaving them in third spot.
Having fallen by a point to the `Pies in round two - when some nervous mistakes in
the final minutes cost them dearly - Melbourne at least showed enough late composure
to share the points this time, after trailing at every change.
The lead changed with each of the seven last-quarter goals - four to the Demons and
three to the Magpies - with Melbourne hitting the front two times, Collingwood once,
while the four other goals, including the last to Collingwood veteran Tarkyn
Lockyer, levelling the scores.
Earlier, the Magpies kicked three goals inside the first nine minutes to establish a
20-point lead.
While they dominated in general play early, they also wasted some early chances -
setting the tone - and the Demons were fortunate to be within 12 points at the first
change.
But from then on, it was a dour battle, Melbourne's defence lifting in the second
term as they kept Collingwood goal-less for the first 25 minutes of the quarter and
kicked three goals themselves to briefly edge ahead late in the opening half.
Magpies small forward Brad Dick put his side back in front with the final score of
the half, the first of four majors for the goalsneak.
He was a shining light in attack for Collingwood, their only multiple goal-scorer,
after his late inclusion for Alan Didak (hip), in what was Dick's first AFL match of
the season after recovering from a shoulder reconstruction.
He kicked the only two Collingwood goals of the third quarter, and also gave them
the lead midway through the last.
The Demons looked to have made the winning break through marks and goals to ruckman
Mark Jamar and then forward Matthew Bate less than four minutes apart which gave
them a six-point lead, 22 minutes into the term.
But the Magpies made the most of their final opportunity, recalled veteran Lockyer
goaling after an errant Matthew Warnock kick out of defence found Jolly, who passed
to Lockyer 40m out.
Midfielders Swan, Scott Pendlebury and Dale Thomas were all good for Collingwood,
although Swan blotted his game by missing with his only three scoring shots.
For Melbourne, Aaron Davey was clearly the best ball user of the day, providing good
run from defence, while Jamar was excellent in the ruck and Brent Moloney played
well in midfield.