All hail the comeback kings

Cardiac Collingwood did it again last Sunday, mounting another stirring comeback to knock over Adelaide by a point at Adelaide Oval.

It came as no surprise at all to see the Magpies wear down the Crows. It was the ninth time in 32 games since Craig McRae took over as coach that they have won by a goal or less. Fitness. Process. Belief. Spirit. These Magpies have all those qualities in abundance, plus several more as they keep finding ways to grind out victories. And far from disliking them because, well, they are Collingwood, they a likable group and ever so fun to watch.

But which of the wins was the best? Because everyone loves a list, so this column presents the ‘Collingwood Craig McRae Era’ close game power rankings.

ROUND 23, 2022 v CARLTON, MCG

Nothing can beat kicking the last five goals of the game to win by a point to a) ensure the double chance and b) knock Carlton out of the finals. Jamie Elliott capped the comeback with a goal on the run with 1:40 to go to rip the hearts out of their fiercest rival.

ROUND 19, 2022 v ESSENDON, MCG

Should have been over with 40 seconds to go, but Harrison Jones hit the post from a set shot, giving the Magpies one last chance to win it. And that they did, taking the ball from the kick-out downfield in an instant to Elliott, who outmarked two Bomber defenders on the boundary and then kicked the set shot after the final siren to claim the four-point win. Even McRae, the eternal optimist, thought that was one they stole.

ROUND 7, 2023 V ADELAIDE, ADELAIDE OVAL

The undermanned Magpies really should have been out of it when they trailed by 26 points early in the second term. But they chipped away and chipped away and made the Crows pay for their early inaccuracy. Steele Sidebottom’s behind from a set shot with less than 30 seconds to go was the first time they led all day.

ROUND 11, 2022 v CARLTON, MCG

The game that started this remarkable streak, but this time the Magpies just held on by four points as the Blues kicked the final three goals of the game and blew the chance to go ahead when Jack Silvagni missed a snap with 30 seconds remaining.

ROUND 16, 2022 v GOLD COAST SUNS, HERITAGE BANK STADIUM

Collingwood’s never-say-die spirit came to the fore here, coming from 14 points down in the final quarter to win a brutal clash by five points thanks to unanswered goals from Josh Daicos, Brody Mihocek and Will Hoskin-Elliott.

ROUND 5, 2023 v ST KILDA, ADELAIDE OVAL

What is it about Adelaide and Collingwood nailbiters? The Magpies and the Saints played a beauty to close out Gather Round earlier this year. Collingwood appeared to have closed out the heretofore unbeaten St Kilda with a four-goal lead entering time-on in the final quarter, only for three quick goals to Jack Higgins, Ryan Byrnes and Brad Crouch to reduce the margin to a goal. The Magpies only just held on, riding their luck in close games yet again.

Fitness. Process.

ROUND

12, 2022 v HAWTHORN, MCG

The week after knocking over the Blues, they edged out the Hawks by four points in miserable conditions. Collingwood fans might have excised this one from the memory banks because the now-departed Ollie Henry kicked the match-winner with five minutes remaining.

ROUND

18, 2022 v ADELAIDE, ADELAIDE OVAL

Elliott looked to have sealed it for the Pies when he put them 16 points up with seven minutes to go, but they hung on grimly to win by a goal as majors to Lachlan Murphy and Taylor Walker put the frighteners up them.

ROUND 2 0, 2022 v PORT ADELAIDE, MCG

No style points for Collingwood here. Port’s Jase Burgoyne kicked truly with two minutes remaining to bridge the margin to a goal, but a subsequent free kick and 50m penalty helped ice what was Collingwood’s 10th successive win. @hashbrowne