Star’s injury scare amid Pies’ horror finals start

Collingwood’s chances of advancing to the third week of finals got off in the worst possible fashion after a horror first half against Geelong.

In the must-win clash, it was the Cats who grabbed the first advantage leading by 22-points at quarter-time after the Magpies conceded the first three goals.

And it was looking like it could get worse when star Taylor Adams was forced down the race after an elbow injury.

Watch the 2020 Toyota AFL Finals Series on Kayo with every game before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Gaz's silky skills hurt Pies

0:57

The star onballer was in severe pain on the interchange bench after receiving a boot to the arm, with the Pie returning after undergoing testing with heavy strapping.

Across seven finals games, Adams hasn’t dropped below 20 disposals, having 24 or more touches in six of them.

His finals average is greater than Brownlow Medal winners Patrick Dangerfield (25.2 disposals) and Dustin Martin (22.5- disposals), with the 27-year-old averaging 26.9 in finals.

At quarter-time, 11 Magpies players had one disposal or less, with the Cats smashing the club in the major statistics.

Chris Scott’s side were +17 in marks, +6 in clearances, + 8 contested possessions, +30 uncontested possessions and +7 in inside 50s.

Pies' horror finals start

2:08

The Pies were kept scoreless in the second term, with former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas declaring the club appeared “mentally friend”.

“They are flat. Unprepared mentally in my view,” he said on social media.

“You don’t put this garbage out unless you’re mentally fried before the game starts.”

Richmond great Matthew Richardson suggested on Channel 7 the Magpies looked “cooked” during the latter stage of the second quarter as the Cats pressed their lead.

The winner of Saturday’s final will play Brisbane in the preliminary final.