O’BREE CELEBRATES 200TH AS PIES WIN
BY ANDREW LOWTHER
COLLINGWOOD gave midfield stalwart Shane O’Bree the best possible 200th game celebration, accounting for St Kilda in a desperate battle tonight at Telstra Dome.
The Magpies seemed to have all the answers throughout the night, coming out winners by nine points.
While O’Bree didn’t have his best game, the Pies were well serviced by good games from Dale Thomas, Alan Didak and Harry O’Brien, who lead the defence and kicked one of the goals of the year.
Scott Burns and Leon Davis also played well, as did ruckman Chris Bryan.
The Saints also had plenty of winners on the night and would be heartened by a better showing against quality opposition.
Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo and Leigh Montagna gave the Saints plenty of drive through the midfield.
One concern for St Kilda will be the continuing bad form of veteran forward Fraser Gehrig.
The former Coleman Medallist spent much of the game on the bench - including the dying minutes when the game needed to be won - and appeared hampered by a hand injury.
The win is Collingwood’s fourth for the season, equal with Saints.
The Pies play Geelong at the MCG next Friday, the first game between the clubs since last year’s classic preliminary final, while the Saints travel to Brisbane to face the Lions.
COLL 16. 7 (103) Didak 3, Burns 2, Medhurst 2
ST K 14. 10 (94) Armitage 2, Briss, 2, Dal Santo 2, Milne 2
