AN EQUAL-career-best seven goals from Russell Robertson has inspired Melbourne to a famous victory, defeating Collingwood by 13 points in front of 70,660 at the MCG.
Robertson goaled after the siren to cap a 13.16 (94) to 11.15 (81) triumph, the Demons’ fourth consecutive Queen's Birthday win and their second in a row since losing the first eight games of this season.
The win extends an unbeaten run against Collingwood that stretches back to round 11, 2003.
Robertson set the up the win with three majors in the first quarter, then bagged Melbourne's opening two goals in the final term when the pendulum was swinging Collingwood's way.
Robertson’s seventh after the final siren sealed his finest performance in 2007, after he missed five matches earlier in the season with a knee injury.
Young gun Matthew Bate was also superb across half-forward, contributing 14 touches, 10 marks, six inside 50s and two vital goals.
Melbourne started brilliantly, playing the best football it has exhibited all year in a six-goal first term that could have been better were it not for some late behinds.
The lead was 32 points at one stage, but the Magpies fought back, halving the deficit by half time and cutting it to just three points at the last change.
The Demons had plenty of contributors around the ground.
Ben Holland, who was a late replacement for the injured Adem Yze (groin) took the honours over Anthony Rocca – the big Magpie finished with just one kick and one handball.
In the middle, Brock McLean, another key absentee for much of the season, missing six matches with a foot injury, was excellent with 26 disposals, six hard ball gets and six clearances.
Collingwood's Heath Shaw, despite entering the match under an injury cloud, was his side's best, with 24 touches.
Melbourne got off to a flyer and dominated the first quarter.
James McDonald kicked off proceedings and by quarter time, the Demons led by 27 points. A seven-minute period, where Melbourne slammed home five goals to zip, was the catalyst.
Collingwood went into the match with a depleted defence that was weakened further when in-form youngster Harry O'Brien left the field mid-way during the opening term with a dislocated shoulder.
The Demons should have been further in front at the first break, as they failed to fully maximise their scoring opportunities in attack. Melbourne had 12 scoring shots to five, which included two behinds to Cameron Bruce and Paul Johnson.
Bruce's woes in front of goal continued during the second term – he added another two behinds – while an early shot at goal floated off his boot and didn't register.
Simon Godfrey provided an early highlight with a fine goal on the run, but Collingwood's four goals to two for the term – Robertson added his fourth – reduced the deficit to 16 points and set up a fascinating second half.
Key playmaker Travis Johnstone was a no-show in the second half due to a hamstring injury, while skipper David Neitz injured his knee early in the third term and was forced to the sidelines. Remarkably Neitz returned to the ground for the start of the final stanza.
The Magpies reduced the margin even further during the third quarter, but poor conversion from both sides enabled the Demons to hang onto a slender three-point lead at the last break.
Two strong marks to Robertson set up a 19-point lead early in the final term, but two sloppy free kicks helped the Pies reel the margin back to just seven points.
Robertson’s mark in the pocket and conversion after the siren was a fitting way to end a famous afternoon.
Melbourne 6.6 8.9 9.14 13.16 (94)
Collingwood 2.3 6.5 9.11 11.15 (81)
GOALS
Melbourne: Robertson 7, Bate 2, Davey, Godfrey, Johnstone, McDonald
Collingwood: Johnson 3, Cloke 3, Davis 2, Fraser, Lockyer, Medhurst
BEST
Melbourne: Robertson, McLean, Bate, Jones, McDonald, Wheatley, Ward
Collingwood: Holland, Burns, Cloke, Johnson, Lockyer, Swan, Shaw
Umpires: S Grun S Jeffery S McLaren
Official crowd: 70,660 at MCG
