Turning Point: The Saints appeared in control at the beginning of the last quarter, going 21 points up a few minutes in. But a succession of skill errors that resulted in turnovers on the wing kept Collingwood in the contest and saw them begin to reel in the lead. The Saints had a chance to stem the tide when Gehrig lead to half-forward and appeared set to take a routine mark, but he spilled it and allowed the Pies to take possession and eventually goal through Dane Swan. It was ironic given that it was Gehrig’s controversial goal 18 minutes into the third term (in which he appeared to push Shane Wakelin in the back) that sparked a run of five unanswered goals for St Kilda and gave them the lead.

Star Man: Dale Thomas caught everyone’s attention with his flashy opening term and influence in the last, but for a solid four quarter effort, Dane Swan gets the nod for the game’s best player. Swan was Collingwood’s highest possession winner with 29 touches, the best tally on the ground behind St Kilda’s Sam Fisher. Six hard-ball gets and his physical presence around the ground were valuable assets for the Pies, as was his solid defensive marking and rousing goal (which brought his side back to within a point of the Saints) in the final term.

Absolute Shocker: In a match that lent itself to blunders due to the cold, wet conditions, there were plenty of skill errors, fumbles and even some highly-debatable umpiring decisions. However, no mistake was worse than Leigh Montagna’s. Fifteen minutes into the final term and with scores level, the Saint attempted to kick the ball to himself at the kick-in but lost control of it, instead having to rush it through for a behind. It gave Collingwood the lead and the scent of victory, and saw them record a come-from behind win.

What a goal! People thought they had witnessed one of the goals of the year after Dale Thomas twice baulked opponents then dribbled the ball through from an impossibly tight angle on the boundary line deep in the forward pocket. Amid wild celebrations nobody realised the ball had been deemed out of bounds by the boundary umpire. Instead of losing his concentration, Thomas got another chance three minutes later when he was given a free kick 45 metres out directly in front. With the Pies leading by just three points well into time-on the pressure on the kick was enormous, but he calmly went back and slotted the goal. While far less spectacular it proved the match-winner and the Pies ran out nine-point victors.

Unsung Hero Collingwood had a number of players who worked tirelessly all day in the tough conditions, but none showed as much desperation as Nick Maxwell. The young defender put his body on the line on many occasions, particularly around the imposing Gehrig, using his body to dispossess the St. Kilda forward running to a loose ball in front of goal. Strong tackling, tenacity in and under the packs and rushing through what would have been some crucial goals for the Saints all added to his gritty performance.