As it happened: Magpies hold off late Saints scare to claim win in Gather Round blockbuster

Collingwood have claimed the win over St Kilda in a Sunday night blockbuster at Adelaide Oval to close out Gather Round.

For three quarters it was a close affair, but the Magpies put their foot down in the last quarter and took advantage of a battle weary Saints defence.

St Kilda didn’t roll over and to their credit they kept the fight in to the finish and booted three back-to-back goals to close the margin to just 6-points.

The Magpies seem back to their late game surging ways.

Collingwood beat St Kilda 10.10 (7) to 9.10 (64).

Jamie Elliott, who is looking a bit choppy after being banged up a few times today, put the perfect finish on a long kick to give Collingwood a 26-point margin with eight minutes to go.

Nick Daicos has also now registered 40 disposals, a career game high. His season average is currently 34.5 per game.

Collingwood are set up well behind the ball and are stopping St Kilda’s advances.

The Magpies pressure has also resulted in some opposition wayward kicks - the Saints have now registered four behinds in a row.

Collingwood lead by 20-points with just under ten minutes to go.

Collingwood have opened up their margin against St Kilda, which now sits at 24-points, thanks to back-to-back goals from Jack Ginnivan, Ash Johnson and Bobby Hill.

St Kilda’s defence has held strong all day - inside 50s are 59-34 for the Pies - but is starting to wear thin as the Magpies begin to ride some momentum.

Jack Ginnivan has kicked his first goal - in his first game back - for 2023.

He teamed up with fellow small forward Bobby Hill, in what could prove to be a lethal pair, and finished the run of play with a snap - and goal.

Magpies lead by 12-points.

St Kilda and Collingwood have their horns firmly locked in battle as the third quarter comes to a close.

The Pies have the lead - which they’ve held for majority of the game - but it remains at just 6-points.

The stakes are set for a huge fourth quarter with just a goal in it.

Will either side be able to break the game open in its final stages or will it be a close clash right to the end?

Collingwood lead St Kilda 6.10 (46) to 6.4 (40).

Nevermind about that Collingwood highest lead - young Saint Anthony Caminiti has cut the margin back down to 2-points.

Collingwood lead St Kilda 5.6 (36) to 5.4 (34).

Collingwood are less than two goals up but have taken their biggest lead of the game with 9-points, thanks to a goal from Brody Mihocek, his second of the game.

The close encounter is leaving it anyone’s game, but the Magpies have started to get on top around stoppages, which Saints have been dominating all game.