Collingwood has gone down by 83 points against Carlton at Ikon Park.
The Pies kicked the opening goal of the game through ruckman Iliro Smit who found the big sticks for the first time in Collingwood colours.
Finlay Macrae opened the second term with a bang for the Pies with a brilliant long-range goal on his non-preferred foot, before Smit had his second shortly after to quickly rein in a three-goal quarter time deficit.
The third term was all the Blues however, with the Pies unable to find the big sticks.
The Blues were in control again in the last quarter, however the Pies did put two majors on the board.
Cox returns for duel with Pittonet
Having injured his knee in Collingwood’s draw with Fremantle in late May, Mason Cox returned to football on Sunday against the Blues in a big boost for the Pies’ VFL side.
Lining up in the ruck against fellow experienced campaigner Marc Pittonet, the duo battled it out all day at Ikon Park in a fascinating duel.
Cox finished with 22 hit outs and 11 disposals in a first step to returning to the AFL side.
Smit stars up forward
With Cox returning, mid-season draftee Iliro Smit spent much more time forward than he has across his first five games in Pies colours, with the move working with immediate effect.
The 200cm tall kicked the opening goal of the game – his first in the black and white – and provided a strong presence in attack for his side.
He had a second early in the second term to continue his hot start of the game, while he took a strong contested mark in defensive fifty to showcase his versatility.
Only 19 years old and less than two months into life as an AFL footballer, Smit is showing significant progression each week.
Parker as poised as ever on return
First-year Pie Wil Parker was another AFL-listed player to return on Sunday, playing his first game since Round 12 after recovering from a knee injury.
The former cricketer – who the Pies picked up in February as a rookie – has made a name for himself through his brilliant skill work and poise across half back in his start to life at Collingwood, and Sunday was no different.
Racking up 10 first half disposals, before finishing with 18 and four marks, he had another solid day out.
Bytel continues impressive run of form
It seems the more time Jack Bytel spends in the black and white jumper, the better he gets, with the midfielder yet again racking up the ball at will on Sunday.
Part of a strong midfielder where Finlay Macrae also stood out, Bytel has been the key leader over the past month especially.
Despite it being a tough day for the side, Bytel recorded 31 disposals – his fourth 30-plus disposal game in the past five weeks – and had nine clearances as well.
COLLINGWOOD 1.2 5.4 5.6 7.8 (50)
CARLTON 4.2 8.5 16.12 20.12 (133)
GOALS
Collingwood: Mahoney 2, Smit 2, Mulvogue 2, Macrae
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