Collingwood star Brianna Davey has propelled the Magpies to a thrilling six-point AFLW qualifying final win over North Melbourne at Victoria Park.
The home side trailed by 14 points at three-quarter time but kicked the final three goals of Saturday’s match to score a 7.8 (50) to 7.2 (44) win that sets up a preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions in Brisbane.
Davey was instrumental with 31 possessions, while Sophie Alexander and Chloe Molloy booted two goals apiece.
Ashleigh Riddell and Emma Kearney were important for the Kangaroos, who fell behind early but stormed into the lead with five unanswered goals.
Jasmine Garner threaded the eye of the needle from deep in a pocket for North’s first, but the opening quarter belonged to the home side.
Alexander, Molloy and Jaimee Lambert all hit the scoreboard with the rampant Pies in full flight.
But Collingwood couldn’t capitalise on their dominance in the second quarter and the Roos hit back late.
Bethany Lynch scrambled home a goal from close range and Sophie Abbatangelo booted her first to slash the margin to three points at halftime.
Abbatangelo booted her second after the restart to put her side in front for the first time.
When Lynch and Riddell converted tough set shots from the boundary line the Kangaroos led by 13 points.
Alexander’s second major broke North’s unanswered run, but Collingwood trailed by 14 points at the last break.
Kristy Stratton started the Pies’ fight back, Molloy made it a one-point game and Tarni Brown kicked the sealer as the home side finished strongly.