Brodie Grundy kicked a goal with four seconds left to propel Collingwood to a stunning come-from-behind one-point win over Richmond at the MCG on Friday night.
The Tigers looked to have done enough as they held onto a 17-point lead late in the game but Alex Fasolo, who finished with six goals, kept the Pies in with a chance before Grundy hacked a loose ball out of the goal square to break Tiger hearts 13.9 (87) to 12.14 (86).
Jack Riewoldt inspired his side with three last-quarter goals, but Damien Hardwick's men were left to rue costly turnovers that left the door open for the Pies.
Having suffered a horrendous start to the AFL season that saw them lose Dane Swan and Steele Sidebottom in an 80-point defeat to Sydney and become embroiled in the illicit drugs controversy, the black-and-white portion of the 72,761-strong crowd erupted in jubilation as the final siren sounded.
There's winning ugly and then there's what Collingwood did on Friday night but Nathan Buckley won't care one bit.
A week after AFL fans rejoiced at the return of brave, attacking high-scoring footy, the big stage of the MCG was the scene of a horror show of errors, turnovers and poor decision-making for three quarters before the contest erupted into a pulsating final term.
Each side kicked just three goals each in a dour first half, Richmond with their noses in front by less than a goal at each change before the stunning conclusion.
Adam Treloar was again important for his new team with 32 possession with Magpies teammate Scott Pendlebury influential across half-back with 26 touches.
Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin and Shaun Grigg did the heavy lifting in the middle for the Tigers, while Bachar Houli mopped up down back.
It was Fasolo's night, however, as he kicked his sixth goal with less than two minutes left to draw the Pies to within five points, before a frantic scramble inside Collingwood's attacking 50 had Nick Vlastuin penalised for deliberate out of bounds.
Darcy Moore hit the top of a crowded goal square from out near the 50m arc, with Grundy icing the stunning comeback in heavy traffic.
"It was admirable the way that we were able to stay with it long enough," Buckley said.
"It's a 124-minute game and we took every one of those minutes, but the attitude and effort was a lot better."
Hardwick lamented his players' lack of composure in the final minutes of the match, but had no problem with the out-of-bounds free kick.
"We should have been better in that situation," Hardwick said.
"We missed gettable shots on goal. You leave the door open and good sides bounce back and take the four points from you."
The Tigers - already missing Brett Deledio, Ivan Maric and Shaun Edwards - suffered a heavy injury toll, the walking wounded including Dylan Grimes (hamstring), Shaun Grigg (ankle) and Jayden Short, who kicked three goals on debut, but suffered a shoulder injury.
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