Crows Break Collingwood Curse in Season Opener Thriller
Adelaide has kicked off their AFL premiership campaign with a hard-fought victory over Collingwood, signalling a potential shift in the power dynamic between the two clubs. The Crows, who suffered a disappointing straight-sets exit from the finals last season, including a crucial loss to the Magpies, entered the 2026 season with a clear objective: to prove they’ve closed the gap. They achieved this in spectacular fashion at the MCG, enduring a late Collingwood surge to secure a 13.15 (93) to 11.13 (79) win in front of a boisterous crowd of 62,482.
This victory marks Adelaide’s first win against Collingwood at the MCG since 2014, a statistic that weighs heavily on coach Matthew Nicks. “Some weeks you have a win and it’s a nice grind. This one felt really good,” Nicks commented post-match. “From our point of view, we’re sick of losing to them. And I mean that from a respect point of view, they’re a very good side, and they’ve had the wood on us. So to fight through like we did tonight and show that we’re still developing, we’re still getting better, is a really good sign.”
The atmosphere at the ‘G was electric, with the iconic Collingwood chant echoing through the stadium at various points. Nicks acknowledged the pressure cooker environment, stating, “That’s a big stage out there. There’s a period of time where the chant went up, the Collingwood chant – all things that we planned for, all things that we expected. And our guys were able to knuckle down in that moment and a number of moments following that and just get the job done.”
The match was a tight affair for much of the first half. Nick Daicos was instrumental for Collingwood in the second term, amassing 15 disposals and booting a goal. However, Adelaide managed to snatch a three-point lead heading into halftime courtesy of a Darcy Fogarty major.
The third quarter proved to be the turning point. In a surprising strategic move, Daicos was deployed on the wing at the start of the decisive term. This allowed Adelaide to seize control, kicking five of the next six goals to establish a commanding 37-point lead that ultimately sealed the match. Collingwood coach Craig McRae, when questioned about Daicos’s positional shift, offered a cryptic response: “That’s just subtle little shifts – they do little deals and stuff, just for certain times of the game.” He later conceded he would be reviewing the game tape.
Despite the significant deficit, Collingwood showed their trademark resilience in the final term, reducing the margin to just 12 points. However, Adelaide demonstrated their newfound grit and composure, responding to steady the ship and secure the vital four premiership points.
The absence of Collingwood skipper Darcy Moore, sidelined with a hamstring injury, was keenly felt in their defence. Adelaide’s taller forwards capitalised, with Riley Thilthorpe (three goals), Darcy Fogarty (two goals), and Taylor Walker (six marks) proving a handful for the undersized Magpies backline.
Key Performances:
- Adelaide’s Midfield Dominance: Wayne Milera (34 disposals), Josh Worrell (27 disposals), and Alex Neal-Bullen (27 disposals) were outstanding, providing crucial drive and support.
- Collingwood’s Star Power: Nick Daicos showcased his brilliance with 33 disposals, two goals, and an impressive 725 metres gained. Dan Houston was also a standout for the Magpies with 32 disposals and 11 marks.
- Multiple Goal Kickers: Lachie Schultz, Roan Steele, and Jamie Elliott all contributed two goals each for Collingwood.
Reflecting on his team’s performance, McRae admitted a degree of disappointment. “I just said to the players I feel like we were pretty average tonight,” he stated. “I felt like parts of the game got away from us.”
Looking ahead, Adelaide will host the in-form Western Bulldogs next Friday, while Collingwood will enjoy a well-deserved bye. The Crows’ impressive opening-round victory sets a strong tone for their season, suggesting they are ready to challenge for top honours.
