Every player graded as Collingwood wins ANOTHER epic over Adelaide

Collingwood has defeated Adelaide by less than a goal for the third consecutive time, this time by four points in a thriller at the MCG.

A daring Crows comeback saw Matthew Nicks’ side snare the lead in the final five minutes, but the Magpies refused to be denied as Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey combined to put the home side back in front with less than two minutes to play.

Izak Rankine, who played the best game of his career, put the Crows inside 50 in the dying seconds, only for the ball to be recalled, with Rankine told he had run too far in a moment sure to dominate discussion over the coming 24 hours.

The Crows have also confirmed a hamstring injury to Rankine from his last-second dash up the member’s wing.

After being pinged, he immediately grabbed at his left hamstring and went to hobble from the field before the siren sounded.

Adelaide high performance boss Darren Burgess commented on the setback.

“Unfortunately it happened in the last few seconds of the game and Izak came straight from the ground,” Burgess said in a club statement.

“We will need to assess him in coming days to determine the severity of the injury and go from there.”

He missed three weeks with a hamstring injury late last year.

The 12.6 (78) to 11.8 (74) win could even return Collingwood to the top four should results fall their way this weekend, with an undermanned Pies outfit using all of their grit and determination to win on Saturday afternoon in front of 63,925 at the MCG.

Here’s how we graded every player.

COLLINGWOOD

Nick Daicos: A+

Can’t say anything that hasn’t been said before. Of course he played a pivotal role in the final goal and finished with a whopping 40 touches.

Scott Pendlebury: A+

Give him another two-year contract if he’s going to play like that every week. Racked up plenty of the footy, especially early, but it was his ball use that set him apart.

Josh Daicos: A+

30 disposals and touched the young Crows on the outside.

John Noble: A

A belter of a game to play in your 100th and clearly a fan favourite given the way the MCG erupted when Noble goaled in the third term.

Jack Crisp: A

Jordan De Goey: B+

Started like a house on fire playing as a high half-forward in his return from a groin injury and the final goal was a defining moment.

Joe Richards: B+

Backed up last week's impressive debut with a great showing against the Pies. Looks like a seasoned player given the way he uses the footy.

Isaac Quaynor: B

His best game for the season. Over 90 per cent disposal efficiency and plenty of intercepts for the classy half-back. Made the smother that eventuated in De Goey's winner.

Steele Sidebottom: B-

Hasn’t been at his best this season but performances like Saturday’s will keep Sidebottom in the best 22 for the rest of the season.

Darcy Cameron: B-

Worked his way into the contest against Reilly O’Brien.  

Brayden Maynard: C+

Lachie Sullivan: C+

Doesn’t get a heap of the footy but has an immense defensive presence and uses the footy like a seasoned professional. Only spent the 64 per cent time on ground.

Lachie Schultz: C+

Darcy Moore: C+

The Collingwood captain was often third man up and was immense in the final term.

Billy Frampton: C+

Spent most of the clash rotating between Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty, who both didn’t have their best games. Job done.

Patrick Lipinski: C

Bobby Hill: C

Found Max Michalanney a tough matchup.

Fin Macrae: C

Mason Cox: C-

Ran under the ball on far too many occasions and received a cheeky jeer from the MCG crowd when he finally plucked a mark in defence.

Reef McInnes: C-

It was an up-and-down day for the 21-year-old, who clunked a few big grabs but had several moments he’d want back big time. Concussed in the third term.

Oleg Markov: C-

Only the five touches.

Harvey Harrison: N/A

Eight classy touches after starting as the sub.

Will Hoskin Elliott: N/A

Subbed off at half-time with a hamstring concern after a strong start.

ADELAIDE

Izak Rankine: A+

A massive seven clearances in the second half as Rankine played his best game for the season and likely his career. Simply immense. Play him as a 60/40 midfielder, Nicksy!

Jordan Dawson: A

A slow start for the skipper and his ball use wasn’t always at peak, but he arguably had more big moments than any player on the field.

Mitch Hinge: A 

An immense final quarter came oh so close to getting Adelaide over the line. 

Mark Keane: A

There’s simply no chance Keane loses his spot when Nick Murray returns from his ruptured ACL. Could be one of the competition’s most improved players and Keane’s poise with ball in hand matches his defensive prowess.

Reilly O’Brien: B+ 

Dominated Darcy Cameron early and had plenty of big moments late as O’Brien stood the tallest. 

Matt Crouch: B+

Only given the 65 per cent time on ground but he made all of those minutes count.

Luke Nankervis: B+

Starting to influence contests more as his career progresses and had a genuine say in the final term. 

Jordon Butts: B+ 

Comprehensively beat Mason Cox and punched above his height. 

Max Michalanney: B+ 

Spent most of the clash on Bobby Hill after Will Hoskin-Elliott went off injured and was assured in his ability. Certainly one of Adelaide’s better players. 

Lachie Murphy: B+

Was arguably Adelaide’s best player in the opening half as a defensive forward but quickly faded out in the second half.

Jake Soligo: B

Continues to rack up the footy at will, this time gathering 24 disposals but couldn’t impact forward of centre as much as he would have liked.

Josh Rachele: B

The only player to don the long sleeves on a chilly afternoon in Melbourne. 13 possessions and two goals is a reasonable return.

Brayden Cook: B

Brodie Smith: C

Chayce Jones: C

18 disposals but didn’t use them to influence the contest.

Elliott Himmelberg: C

Darcy Fogarty: C

Two goals but would have been unsighted to many fans on Saturday afternoon until the final term.

Taylor Walker: C- 

Had moments where he threatened to be the player Adelaide desperately needed on Saturday, but Walker’s ball use and decision making was lacking. 

Lachie Scholl: C- 

Subbed off in the third term after being taught a lesson on the wing by Josh Daicos. 

Will Hamill: C- 

Plenty of nervy moments. Handled some, didn’t handle others. 

Ben Keays: C-

Ned McHenry: N/A

Started as the sub and came on in the third term.