Sydney have come from behind to defeat Collingwood after a “seismic shift” in the third quarter of Friday night’s clash.
The Magpies kicked the first five goals of the match and led by as much as 33 points during the second term before the Swans worked their way back into the match.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Oscar Steene hobbles off with knee injury
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They closed to within two goals and then the match completely turned when Oscar Steene hobbled off with a knee injury.
Sydney star Brodie Grundy was already dominating in the middle, but with the Magpies’ only recognised ruck leaving the game it became too much for the Pies.
“This doesn’t look good. He can hardly put any weight on that leg,” sideline reporter Abbey Holmes said of Steene.
“Left knee collapsed underneath him,” Dale Thomas added.
Channel 7’s Xander McGuire reported that the Pies will be fearing the dreaded ACL injury given the nature of the injury.
Collingwood kept on attacking and did manage two quick goals to keep the Swans at bay, but it always felt like it was only a matter of time.
With Grundy giving his midfielders first use, the Swans piled on four goals to flip the game on its head and take a six-point lead into the final quarter.
“Seismic shift in the third quarter,” Alister Nicholson said in commentary.
To Collingwood’s credit, they didn’t go down without a fight and actually hit the front again with just over seven minutes remaining.
But Sydney kept on coming and Logan McDonald put his side back in front with a brilliant snap over his head and then Tom Papley sealed with a trademark snap of his own.
Jamie Elliott set up a frantic final minute with a late goal, but the Swans held their nerve.
Grundy finished the night with an absurd stat-line of 47 hitouts, 34 possessions, 12 clearances and a goal.
“Story of the night. As soon as Steene went out of the game and even when he was in it, Grundy has been enormous,” Thomas said on Channel 7.
As well as Grundy, Nick Blakey was enormous off half-back with 39 touches, 10 marks and 893m gained.
Sydney (9-1) have now won seven games in a row to lead the league ahead of second-place Fremantle’s clash with Essendon.
Meanwhile, Collingwood (4-1-5) blew an opportunity to edge closer to the top six.
Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos kicked two goals in the first quarter, but couldn’t spark his side with 27 touches.
Second-gamer Charlie West opened the scoring as Collingwood slammed through five straight majors for a 22-point lead at quarter-time.
Magpies midfielder Jack Crisp’s desperate tackle on Swans star Chad Warner told the story of the visitors’ control in a high-octane first quarter.
Warner – rarely matched in speed or flair by opponents – took a bounce as he broke away from the pack, only to be caught holding the ball by Crisp.
Sydney kicked four behinds before Brodie Grundy finally slotted a goal in the 28th minute.
Unable to traverse the corridor freely, the Swans changed tack to the wings as heavy rain began to pour in the second quarter.
Collingwood adapted well, but defender Billy Frampton gave away a free kick – and a goal – for holding Charlie Curnow.
Jai Serong added another major for the Swans to keep them close, with the Magpies lamenting seven behinds alongside Ned Long’s lone goal.
Grundy went up a gear as Sydney took control in the third quarter and Isaac Heeney kicked from the 50-metre arc to launch the home side ahead before the final break.
But a goal from Collingwood midfielder Roan Steele cut the margin to one point in the fourth quarter before the Magpies levelled, setting up a tense finish for Sydney.
– With AAP
