Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard was at the center of a melee during the Pies' victory over the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday, showcasing his trademark physicality and earning a $5,000 fine for umpire contact under the AFL's crackdown. Maynard's relentless style, including nine tackles despite a bung shoulder and bruised rib, epitomized Collingwood's unconditional commitment that overwhelmed the Suns.
Maynard's Impact and the Melee
Maynard copped a nasty punch from Ben Long, which the AFL treated with leniency compared to accidental tackles. Long, one of the few Suns with aggression, sparked Maynard's revenge spree. The melee at half-time saw Maynard involved with multiple Suns players. Collingwood laid 32 more tackles than Gold Coast, with 15 Suns players recording one tackle or none, highlighting the home side's lack of engagement.
Collingwood's Grit vs. Gold Coast's Inconsistency
The Pies, despite a lopsided list and limitations, exploited the Suns' holes and flakiness. Gold Coast showed flashes of brilliance, like Christian Petracca's preposterous banana goal from 50 meters, but failed to sustain effort. Jeremy Howe's full-length smother in the second term exemplified Collingwood's dirty work, while no Suns player matched that intensity. Damien Hardwick noted, "At the end of the day, boys will be boys," regarding the brawl.
Maynard's Post-Game Reflection
After the game, Maynard, covered in welts and scratches, told Alastair Lynch, "If you are going to come and hit me cheaply, you are going to get some back." When asked if it meant a lot, he replied, "If you love the game mate, everything means a lot to you. We did it for the jumper, we did it for the fans." His words captured the spirit of a club fighting despite teetering on football's cliff.
