Collingwood has capitalised on an avalanche of injuries to Greater Western Sydney, storming home late to beat the GIANTS by 42 points at the MCG on Sunday. 


After notching seven wins against the bottom seven teams on the ladder, the Magpies faced their first top-eight opponent and flexed their muscles to win 18.11 (119) to 11.11 (77).   


Their cause was helped significantly, however, by a string of injuries for their opponents, with the GIANTS' interchange left bare in the fourth quarter. 


Phil Davis was subbed off at half-time with an ankle injury and Joel Patfull left the MCG in an ambulance after a heavy collision in the third quarter.


Patfull was cannoned into by teammate Matt Buntine late in the third term in a marking contest, taking a knee to his ribs and receiving treatment from medical staff at the ground. 


Midfielder Stephen Coniglio also suffered an apparent AC joint injury in the fourth quarter shortly before ruckman Shane Mumford's day was ended by a rolled ankle.


The injuries meant Collingwood steamed home with eight of the final 11 goals, blowing out the scoreboard in what had been an entertaining, high-paced match for three quarters.


The margin was only eight points halfway through the third term, with both sides enjoying lengthy periods with the momentum.


The GIANTS had even threatened to run away with the match early in the second quarter when young star Dylan Shiel, who finished with 34 possessions, took control of the midfield.


They didn't take full toll on the scoreboard, however, kicking 3.6 for the term before injuries started to mount in the second half.


"For the most part we played the type of footy to have the game in some form of control, which is easier said than done against a side so damaging," Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said.



"Bar that 10-minute period through the middle part of the second quarter, we felt like we'd stabilised the momentum of the match and we were in control of how the match was being played.



"We had to flick things around a fair bit and that's what you have to do against a good side, to try to maintain momentum and control."


The Magpies started beating the GIANTS at their own game late in the second quarter, attacking from half-back and taking risks with the ball. 


They kicked four unanswered goals, with Marley Williams, who was crucial in the turnaround, setting up a goal for Jack Crisp that gave the home team a 15-point lead at the main break. 


Collingwood spearhead Travis Cloke came alive in the second half and capitalised on the GIANTS' injuries to finish with five goals, while Taylor Adams shone in the midfield with 36 possessions. 


At the other end of the ground, young GIANTS forward Cam McCarthy was superb with 4.1, but sidekick Jeremy Cameron (two goals) was well held by Nathan Brown. 


GIANTS coach Leon Cameron said injuries were not the reason his team lost. 



"We were always that two or three goals behind them and it culminated in contested possession (125-156), concentration at stoppages and not taking our opportunities when we had shots on goal," he said.



"We've got to learn from that … you can't do one thing right and not nail your goals.



"When there are opportunities to kick set shot goals we've got to take them." 



The Magpies go into their bye with an 8-3 record, while the GIANTS (7-4) face North Melbourne at Spotless Stadium next week off a six-day break.

COLLINGWOOD                          4.3    8.6    10.10    18.11 (119)

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY     2.3    5.9    7.11      11.11 (77)        

GOALS

Collingwood: Cloke 5, White 3, Crisp 2, Fasolo, Varcoe, Broomhead, Seedsman, De Goey, Elliott, Pendlebury, Oxley

Greater Western Sydney: McCarthy 4, Cameron 2, Stewart, Smith, Kelly, Ward, Haynes

BEST

Collingwood: Adams, Williams, Brown, Cloke, Pendlebury, Crisp, Varcoe, Swan

Greater Western Sydney: Shiel, Ward, Whitfield, McCarthy, Treloar, Shaw

INJURIES

Collingwood: De Goey (hand)

Greater Western Sydney: Davis (right ankle), Patfull (ribs), Coniglio (right shoulder), Mumford (left ankle)

SUBSTITUTES

Collingwood: Ben Kennedy replaced Jordan De Goey in the fourth quarter

Greater Western Sydney: Nathan Wilson replaced Phil Davis at half-time

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Bannister, Margetts, Stevic

Official crowd: 43,390 at the MCG