AFL finals 2023 LIVE updates: Demons need two goals in two ...

7 Sep 2023

The Age

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10.10pm

Maynard talks about ‘shattering’ collision with Brayshaw

Brayden Maynard spoke to Channel Seven post game.

The physicality. We love it about you. You bring it week in, week out. But the incident with Gus Brayshaw talk us talk us through that moment.

I don’t want to say too much, but it’s a footy act. I came forward, I jumped to smother the ball and yeah, unfortunately, I just got him on the way down. So I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see what happens. But it’s all love. I absolutely love that guy to bits. So yeah, it’s shattering what happened.

Does it make you nervous as players Obviously in finals, you know what’s to come. But when incidences like that happen, it is quite stressful, isn’t it?

It is.It is stressful. But we’ve sort of got to move on. It’s a bloody intense game. It requires a lot mentally and also physically. So, that’s why we’ve built for this.

10.07pm

FT stats

10.02pm

Collingwood 9.6 (60) d Melbourne 7.11 (53)

Collingwood are into the preliminary final at the MCG in two weeks time while Melbourne will need to take the long way if it is to return to the grand final in 2023.

The Demons were the better side in the last term but Collingwood held on and showed the resolve that has helped them so much this season.

Huge questions remain about Brayden Maynard (Magpies) and Jacob van Rooyen (Demons) who will both face major match review concerns.

But for now the Magpies are celebrating.

Bobby Hill celebrates.Credit: AFL Photos

9.57pm

Fritch keeps Demons alive

Bayley Fritsch had a horror shot for goal that missed earlier this term but he just marked a brilliantly placed kick from Petracca and then dribbled in a goal along the ground.

That’s three goals in a row for the Demons, Collingwood is trying to defend its way to a win.

Pies 60, Dees 53 with two mins to go.

9.53pm

Time is an issue for Demons

The Demons have been on the attack all last term and they are just 13 points down.

But they only have five minutes left to regain this lead.

They are still struggling to find a marking target at centre-half-forward.

Pies 60, Dees 47 with five mins to go.

Tom Mitchell of the Magpies and Kysaiah Pickett of the Demons compete for the ball.Credit: AFL Photos

9.46pm

Magpies use their sub

Jack Ginnivan has come on to the field to a roaring ovation, you can read more about Ginnivan in our story on him from earlier this week.

Ruckman Darcy Cameron has been subbed out in his place.

Dangerfield has urged the Demons not to rush their attacks as they still have time to win it.

9.44pm

Petracca’s big lift

As pointed out by Channel Seven commentator Patrick Dangerfield, Christian Petracca has lifted in the second half going from seven possessions at half-time to 27 and growing.

McDonald just missed a set shot for goal. They need three more goals to win.

Pies 60, Dees 47 with 11 mins to go.

Christian Petracca.Credit: Getty Images

9.37pm

Two goals in a row for Dees

Joel Smith has booted a goal from a set shot and that makes two goals straight for the Demons.

They haven’t really looked a chance of coming back, at least until now.

This is a test of Collingwood’s focus here.

Pies 58, Dees 45 with 16 mins to go.

9.35pm

McDonald kicks first goal of last term

Tom McDonald has had a rough night but he made his own luck on that play faking out the diving defender and then snapping a goal from close range.