Brodie Grundy has inspired Sydney to a sensational second-half fightback against his former side, overrunning Collingwood in a six-point wet-weather win.
With the score level at 9.14 (68) deep in the fourth quarter, Grundy steadied the Swans to set up an 11.15 (81) to 10.15 (75) victory at the SCG in Friday’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round match.
The Swans had kicked just one goal in an unusually dour opening quarter, with the Magpies leading by 33 points at one stage before half-time.
Sydney roared to life with six goals to two in the third quarter, before key forward Logan McDonald benefited from Grundy’s rucking craft to finally launch the Swans ahead with an overhead goal.
Former Magpies ruck Grundy (one goal, 34 disposals, 47 hit outs) won the Goodes-O’Loughlin Medal for his best-on-ground performance in Sydney’s annual Marn Grook fixture in front of 40,627 fans.
Sydney (9-1) have now won seven games in a row to lead the league ahead of second-place Fremantle’s clash with Essendon.
Meanwhile, Collingwood (4-1-5) blew an opportunity to edge closer to the top six.
Already without No.1 ruck Darcy Cameron (ankle), the Magpies suffered another hit when youngster Oscar Steene went down in the third quarter with a knee injury.
Steene – who has been a revelation in his debut season this year – was in agony after his left knee buckled following a ruck contest with Swans counterpart Grundy.
Fan-favourite half-back Nick Blakey (one goal, 39 disposals) was just as busy as Grundy, while Tom Papley matched Logan McDonald with two goals.
Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos kicked two goals in the first quarter, but couldn’t spark his side with 27 touches.
Second-gamer Charlie West opened the scoring as Collingwood slammed through five straight majors for a 22-point lead at quarter-time.
Magpies midfielder Jack Crisp’s desperate tackle on Swans star Chad Warner told the story of the visitors’ control in a high-octane first quarter.
Warner – rarely matched in speed or flair by opponents – took a bounce as he broke away from the pack, only to be caught holding the ball by Crisp.
Sydney kicked four behinds before Brodie Grundy finally slotted a goal in the 28th minute.
Unable to traverse the corridor freely, the Swans changed tack to the wings as heavy rain began to pour in the second quarter.
Collingwood adapted well, but defender Billy Frampton gave away a free kick – and a goal – for holding Charlie Curnow.
Jai Serong added another major for the Swans to keep them close, with the Magpies lamenting seven behinds alongside Ned Long’s lone goal.
Grundy went up a gear as Sydney took control in the third quarter and Isaac Heeney kicked from the 50-metre arc to launch the home side ahead before the final break.
But a goal from Collingwood midfielder Roan Steele cut the margin to one point in the fourth quarter before the Magpies levelled, setting up a tense finish for Sydney.