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Posted: 2024-08-23 08:28:57

Exciting Melbourne forward Kysaiah Pickett is set to miss the start of a season for a second-straight year after finding himself in trouble as the Demons lost to Collingwood by 46 points in a match delayed by lightning.

Magpies captain Darcy Moore was subbed out with concussion after being collected high by Pickett, a repeat offender when it comes to clumsy bumps, during the second quarter at the MCG on Friday night.

Collingwood enforcer Brayden Maynard, loudly booed by Demons supporters every time he touched the ball in a reminder of his infamous incident with Angus Brayshaw, immediately remonstrated fiercely with Pickett.

Pickett missed Melbourne's first game of this season after being banned for a high bump on Patrick Cripps in last year's semi-final loss to Carlton.

The 23-year-old also sat out one game after running into Adelaide's Jake Soligo in Gather Round.

It was one last frustrating incident to end a difficult season for Melbourne, on and off the field.

The last quarter ran for an extraordinary 65 minutes after play was stopped for 40 minutes due to lightning.

Rain began falling heavily early in the fourth term, but a strong lightning flash nearby was a cause for concern for the AFL officials on the bench.

Play continued for a further five minutes until players were forced off with Collingwood 41 points ahead, before the Magpies eventually took out the match 15.13 (103) to 8.9 (57).

It was the second match at the MCG delayed by lightning this year, with Hawthorn and Geelong forced to the change rooms in the last quarter of their Easter Monday blockbuster.

Nick Daicos runs with the football

Nick Daicos was at his dominant best in the first half against Melbourne. (Getty Images: Darrian Traynor)

The Demons have an uncanny knack of being involved in interrupted games, including a lightning strike against West Coast in 2021, and when the lights went out against Brisbane at the Gabba last year.

Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos likely earned himself another three votes on Brownlow Medal night, inspiring the Magpies to a 27-point lead at quarter-time.

The 21-year-old ran riot to finish with 40 possessions and two goals as Collingwood's premiership defence came to an end in what was mostly a low-key dead-rubber.

Daicos might have already secured his first Brownlow Medal before round 24, but this performance should keep him near the front of the count.

He is second favourite to claim the AFL's highest individual honour, just behind Cripps.

However, Daicos is going to have some stiff competition from older brother Josh, who also collected 40 touches

Melbourne were already out of finals contention before the match started, while Collingwood were only a slight mathematical chance, having to smash the Demons by at least 100 points and rely on St Kilda shocking Carlton by a fanciful margin.

Both teams gave a guard of honour for umpire Ray Chamberlain, who is retiring at season's end.

AAP

Check out our live blog below for a full recap of all of Friday night's action as it happened.

Final stats from the MCG

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Here are the final team stats from tonight's clash.

And here are a look at all the player by player stats for both teams.

The Brothers Daicos put on a show

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Have a look at these numbers from the two Daicos brothers tonight.

A combined 80 disposals between the Collingwood pair.

FT: Collingwood 15.13 (103) def. Melbourne 8.9 (57)

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The final siren rings at the MCG and the Magpies are deserved 46-point winners.

Collingwood were far too good for a severely undermanned Melbourne side right from the first bounce tonight.

Nick Daicos finishes with 40 disposals, 11 score involvements, nine clearances, and two goals and surely the three Brownlow votes.

Allan brings up Collingwood's century

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Ed Allan kicks Collingwood's second goal since the restart to bring up the three figures for the Pies.

That's Allan's first goal of his career and the Pies are absolutely up and about.

He's been handy tonight, Allan, he's added 18 touches and six tackles to that goal.

Koltyn Tholstrup with Melbourne's sole goal since play resumed.

Play underway at the MCG

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We're off and running for the final 9.31 of this match!

At this stage, both teams will be hoping no one suffers a serious injury with the result well beyond doubt.

Play to get underway at 10.32pm

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Players from both teams going through a short warm-up in the rooms now, and they're about to run out onto the ground.

The play will get underway at 10.32pm, six minutes from now.

Still no start time determined

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You have to wonder whether we're getting close to the point where this match is called off.

The earliest play could've resumed was 10.15pm, six minutes ago now.

Both clubs are yet to receive the 15 minute notice before play resumes as well, so a restart still appears to be a while off.

Players forced off the MCG due to lightning

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Play has been stopped by the officials here with 9.31 left in the final quarter.

The players will be off the ground for a minimum of 20 minutes.

We saw this earlier in the season when Geelong faced Hawthorn.

Here's a refresher on the exact weather rules.

Lighting surrounding the MCG in final quarter

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The weather has taken a significant turn for the worse here in the final quarter.

There is rain streaming down onto the MCG and some lightning around as well.

It'll be interesting to see whether the players are taken off the field at all.

There's just over 10 minutes of play remaining.

3QT: Collingwood 12.8 (80) leads Melbourne 7.5 (47)

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Collingwood firmly in control at the final change after two late goals.

Will Parker and Will Hoskin-Elliott's majors giving Collingwood the breathing space they desperately craved.

Nick Daicos with 28 disposals and two goals through three quarters, while Josh Daicos has 26 disposals.

Christian Salem leading the way for the Demons with 21 disposals.

All of it pretty academic really, with the big story of the night Darcy Moore's concussion after that bump from Kozzie Pickett.

Demons stay alive with two in a row

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Melbourne continues to hang around!

After Daicos's goal had gotten Collingwood out to a game-high 32-point lead, the Demons cut it back to 21.

Two quick goals to Daniel 'Disco' Turner and Koltyn Tholstrup keeping the Dees in it.

Daicos helps Brownlow case while steadying Pies

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Collingwood's lead back out to a more comfortable 32 points after goals to Nick Daicos and Jamie Elliott.

The Pies might have a lot to play for tonight, but there are some Brownlow stakes for Daicos.

He's up to 26 disposals and now has two goals and will definitely be favourite to take home the three votes tonight.

It could prove to be a very crucial three votes in next month's count.

Darcy Moore subbed off with a concussion

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Big news here to start the third term, with Darcy Moore subbed off with a concussion after that hit from Kozzie Pickett.

That increases the likelihood of Pickett getting a lengthy ban for that hit you'd think.

Finn Macrae coming on as Collingwood's sub.

Here's a still shot of that clash between Moore and Pickett which shows the moment of impact.

Kysaiah Pickett collected Collingwood captain Darcy Moore high in the second quarter
Kysaiah Pickett collected Collingwood captain Darcy Moore high in the second quarter(Getty Images)

Billings gets the first of the second half

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A perfect start to the second half for the Demons as Jack Billings snaps one through from close range.

Collingwood will be wondering how this margin is at just 19 points at the moment.

Some bad news for the Demons though with Jake Bowey subbed off with what's being reported as a knee injury. Bailey Laurie comes on as his replacement.

Pickett in hot water over high bump

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Melbourne star Kozzie Pickett could start next season on the sidelines after this incident with Darcy Moore.

Pickett didn't cause any great damage to the Collingwood skipper, but certainly had the potential to.

'Razor' Ray Chamberlain was placed nearby and awarded Moore a free kick, but didn't take Pickett's number.

That's an incident the MRO Michael Christian will definitely take a close look at tomorrow.

HT: Collingwood 8.5 (53) leads Melbourne 4.4 (28)

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Collingwood well in control as the players come off the ground for the main break.

The Pies could've been a little further ahead if not for some set shot misses in that quarter, although Melbourne also missed some guilt-edged chances, namely one from Kozzie Pickett from virtually inside the square.

Josh Daicos leading all players at half-time with 20 disposals, while Nick Daicos is not far behind with 18 touches.

Christian Salem has been excellent for the Demons, and leads the way with 17 disposals.

Max Gawn with 12 disposals, 10 hitouts and five clearances at the half.

Injury concerns for the Demons as Bowey limps off

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A bit of a headache for Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin here with a few minutes left in the second term.

Jake Bowey landed awkwardly in a marking contest and has come off the ground limping. It looks like he might've rolled his right ankle.

That comes after Bayley Fritsch came off the ground assisted by the club doctors earlier in the quarter and was taken straight into the rooms.

Richards breaks Melbourne's little run

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Melbourne's little spurt of momentum doesn't last long as Joe Richards becomes the latest Magpie to hit the scoreboard.

The Demons just can't get their hands on the footy, with the Magpies leading the disposal count 151-91 at the moment.

Two in two minutes for Dees as van Rooyen strikes

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Melbourne getting a little head of steam up here at the MCG!

A long kick inside 50 finds Jacob van Rooyen leading out from the square and he kicks his first of the night.

Two in a row for the Demons, and they're staying juuuuust within striking distance here.

Early goals exchanged to start second quarter

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Kade Chandler finally kicks Melbourne's second goal of the match, breaking a run of six straight for the Pies.

That goal comes barely seconds after Darcy Cameron kicked his second goal of the match through a snap from the boundary line.

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