It’s time to play: How Pies’ attitude helped create a fantastic GF goal
If Collingwood supporters will always be haunted by the play of Jeremy McGovern, Nathan Vardy, Liam Ryan, and Dom Sheed late in the 2018 Grand Final, then the sequence of play involving Nick Daicos, Scott Pendlebury, Daicos, and Jordan De Goey late in the 2023 Premiership decider will bring them peace forever.
Sheed’s freakish, record-breaking goal cost the Magpies that day, but De Goey’s historically brilliant goal—along with Daicos’ extraordinary assist—lifted them to a historic victory last year.
While evaluating football’s greatest moments is always subjective, there’s no denying that the Daicos-De Goey goal is already etched in history as one of the best Grand Final goals ever played.
It is comparable to the front-and-square. In 2002, Jason Akermanis; in 2009, Paul Chapman (following the Matty Scarlett toe-poke to Gary Ablett); in the final quarter of 1997, any one of Darren Jarman’s five; in 1993, Michael Long; in 2016, Tom Boyd; and in 2006, Adam Hunter (following a Daniel Chick smother).
From the perspective of Collingwood supporters, the 1990 Grand Final goal by Peter Daicos from the right pocket on the boundary at the Punt Road end of the MCG probably results in a draw.
In a recent interview with AFL.com.au, Collingwood coach Craig McRae joyfully relived that goal and urged everyone to include Steele Sidebottom’s long-bomb goal minutes later in the list of all-time great goals.
“I haven’t watched this much, I might have to go back and watch it,” said McRae. “I think that’s the play segment that has been watched the most. That is something that this club will never forget. In the grand scheme of things, we knew what had to be done and we were down.
“And then, to have two extraordinary talents in a short play—how that happens—is mind-blowing. How many players could watch it and slow it down? Then, Jordy kicks it that way from 50 meters through the middle while crossing his body in that direction. Include the day, the time, the temperature, and the occasion after that.
When McRae was asked to focus on the goal that Charlie Cameron of Brisbane had kicked just moments earlier, putting the Lions up two points with five minutes and thirty seconds left, he responded as follows:
“Go mode kicks in, and I think, ‘Leave, we have to go now.'” On the field, “Pendles” (Scott Pendlebury) organizes things. We had also practiced it. We were aware of what needed to be done, so it was only a matter of action. As much tranquility as you could possibly imagine exists at that precise moment. Although our hearts are still racing, we knew what needed to be done.
It will be lost in the legend of Collingwood, just like Steele’s goal. We were having a debate on the bench (the Sidebottom shot). Will he make it to the top of the plaza? Did he really kick nine goals outside of 50 during his career? After 300 games, he stopped. We have attempted to instill a go-for-it mentality, which manifests itself in a variety of ways.”
