Recap
For Collingwood, this game, as the rest of the season has been, was about trying to keep up with the rest and avoid certain relegation. For Balwyn it was about not losing touch with the top four, after fourth placed Brunswick won earlier in the night.
The first half was see-sawing. Balwyn got the opening goal of the game, but Collingwood equalised not long after. After a period of both sides having their fair share of possession, Balwyn took the lead again later in the half, but Collingwood once again drew level, with the half ending all square.
The second half continued the theme of a tightly contested match that was set in the first half, before Balwyn went ahead again. Balwyn added to its slender lead, creating a two goal margin. Collingwood got one back and looked threatening as it looked to draw level. Collingwood’s momentum was halted and its spirits crushed when Balwyn’s Michele Salvi scored Balwyn’s fifth goal and secured all three points.
Man of the match: Michele Salvi