Collingwood coach Craig McRae is in awe of his side’s resilience following its crazy come-from-behind victory over Adelaide on Sunday night.
Just as they have done so many times under McRae, the Magpies rallied from 22 points down early in the final term to blaze home and secure a one-point win.
Remarkably, the Pies led for just 20 seconds of the game, kicking the last three goals before veteran Steele Sidebottom slotted the match-winning point from a set shot.
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With the 8.11 (59) to 7.16 (58) victory, the Pies move to the top of the ladder – one win clear of Melbourne, St Kilda, Brisbane and Port Adelaide, who are locked on 20 points.
McRae credited the team’s polished “method” for its poise under pressure.
“It’s incredible, isn’t it?” he told the media.
“There’s just admiration for the never-give-up attitude and today was a different version of it again. It’s expressing itself in different ways but [it’s] the will to win.
“I’ve said this multiple times, we’ve got good method so the players go to the system and go, ‘All right, we’re behind, we need to win so let’s do this’, and they all know what they need to do through repetition.
“Last year, we were in this position so many times so we get to practise it more than anyone else in the competition.
“I’m just in awe of the want [to win], it’s incredible.
“There’s a lot of things against us, there’s a tide that we’re willing to row through, that’s admirable … The rooms are buzzing, as they should be, because of the resilience, we’re paddling against the tide.
“We’re really proud of our boys.”
McRae admitted the Crows put up a fantastic performance, highlighted by their pressure and contested footy.
However, the side’s chances were cruelled by inaccuracy in front of goal, totalling 16 points in the match.
“I thought they dominated the game for three-and-a-half quarters, but this group has a way and a want to win,” McRae said.
On a sour note, forward Nathan Kreuger was subbed out of the game in the first quarter following a collision with Darcy Fogarty. He was later taken to hospital for further assessment of his ribs.
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