Grading every player as Pies come from the clouds to topple North at Marvel

Collingwood have pulled off ANOTHER miraculous comeback to beat North Melbourne 118-119 on Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium.

The Kangaroos led by 54 points early in the third term after taking an 86-38 lead into half-time and even still led by 45 at the 21-minute mark of that quarter.

It wasn’t really until late in the third term that the Magpies began to roll as the margin was within a somewhat gettable 31 points at the final break.

From there, it was all Collingwood led by Nick Daicos - who lifted in the last term once tagger Will Phillips was subbed off - as the Pies kicked 6.4 (40) to North’s 1.2 (8) in the fourth.

The final minute was largely played in North Melbourne’s forward 50 and Zac Fisher even had a flying shot with 10 seconds left to win the game, but the footy went through for a point, securing a Collingwood win.

Collingwood’s big guns were the ones to lift them late as Bobby Hill kicked three last term goals including the match winner to end with a bag of five, while Jack Crisp also shone in the middle.

For North, George Wardlaw was huge in the middle as was Luke Davies-Uniacke, while all of Nick Lackey, Cameron Zurhaar, Tristan Xerri, Harry Sheezel and Paul Curtis kicked multiple goals in the shootout.

The win lifts Collingwood to third ahead of their Round 15 bye and they crucially get back a raft of star players form injury after their break to make a real assault on September.

For North, they’ll be disappointed but pleased to have continued some form after their Round 13 win over West Coast and will consider themselves every chance in Round 16 against a struggling Melbourne outfit.

Our player grades.

Collingwood

Nick Daicos: A+

The fire-starter for Collingwood as they fought back in the second half. Was well held by Will Phillips early but went forward and pushed up into stoppages in the third and fourth term. Kicked two huge goals to go with 29 disposals and three goal assists. What a player.

Bobby Hill: A+

Ended with a bag of five straight and was clutch in the fourth term to boot the match winner. Also took what could be the Mark of the Year in the second term.

Jack Crisp: A

Another big game in the midfield. Also lifted late when the Pies needed him. 27 disposals, one goal, seven tackles.

Lachie Schultz: A

Kicked four goals and was big around the ground. Really starting to settle in at Collingwood with eight goals from his last three games.

Jeremy Howe: A

Went forward late to kick a goal and was also huge in defence throughout.

Steele Sidebottom: B+

Went into the midfield in the second half and helped turn the game. Ended with 23 disposals and six clearances.

Will Hoskin-Elliott: B+

Underrated and so important.

Brayden Maynard: B+

Pretty important down back in game 200. Had a huge moment late to hold up the Roos.

Patrick Lipinski: B

Josh Daicos: B-

Darcy Cameron: B-

Probably beaten bye Xerri but still battled well all day.

Beau McCreery: B-

Not a massive day personally but did really well to nullify some of Luke Davies-Uniacke’s impact in the second half in a run-with role.

Harvey Harrison: B-

Not a big statistical day but kicked a huge last term goal and took an even bigger last quarter mark. Moments player.

Charlie Dean: C+

Isaac Quaynor: C+

Darcy Moore: C+

Was well beaten early by Nick Larkey but grew into the game.

Nathan Kreuger: C+

Quiet early but lifted late with some big moments.

John Noble: C

Lachie Sullivan: C

Tew Jiath: C-

Showed some signs in his first AFL game but probably needs some time to develop.

Billy Frampton: D

Fin Macrae: D

Was subbed off for McInnes at half-time with just six touches.

Reef McInnes: N/A

Came on for Fin Macrae at half-time. Kicked a goal and presented well.

North Melbourne

Luke Davies-Uniacke: A+

31 disposals and seven clearances. Massive game while having to deal with some attention from Beau McCreery late.

George Wardlaw: A+

The dominant player on the ground in the first half. Finished with 30 disposals, one goal and six clearances. Going to be a star.

Cameron Zurhaar: A

Three goals and 19 disposals in a dangerous half-forward role. Going to make a lot of money this off-season.

Harry Sheezel: A

Kicked two goals to go with 18 disposals playing mainly on-ball.

Nick Larkey: B+

Was on fire early kicking four goals but didn’t have the same impact late once the supply dried up.

Tristan Xerri: B+

Growing every week as one of the competition’s best ruckman. Kicked two goals as well.

Bailey Scott: B+

Charlie Comben: B+

Impresses more each week in a key defensive intercepting role.

Paul Curtis: B+

Darcy Tucker: B

Pretty good all day but missed a big chance late to win it.

Curtis Taylor: B Brynn Teakle: B-

Pretty good in his first game for the club as an aerial target and back-up ruck. Kicked a late goal to snatch the lead back.

Zac Fisher: C+

Missed the potential match-winner and wasn’t as good as he has been recently.

Eddie Ford: C+

Liam Shiels: C-

Just got exposed a bit in the fourth when asked to tag Daicos.

Aidan Corr: C-

Jackson Archer: C-

Tom Powell: C-

Down on his recent output.

Luke McDonald: C-

Toby Pink: C-

Kallan Dawson: C-

Will Phillips: N/A

Was subbed out at three-quarter time after tagging Nick Daicos. Shows promise in that role.

Jaidyn Stephenson: N/A

Came on for the final term.