Sydney have started it's season 2-0 after a thumping victory over the Magpies at the MCG. 

Collingwood may have unfurled its 16th flag on Friday night, but the reigning premier faces an uphill battle after losing by 33 points and slumping to a 0-2 start to the 2024 season.

With Swans captain Callum Mills, veteran midfielder Luke Parker and recruit Taylor Adams inside the MCG, but not out there due to injury, John Longmire’s undermanned, younger side dominated from the start until junk time to win its first game at the MCG since before the 2022 Grand Final.

Craig McRae expected a response after last Saturday night’s flat Opening Round performance against Greater Western Sydney. But he didn’t get one. Now the third-year coach faces the biggest challenge of his coaching career to date after the 15.12 (102) to 10.9 (69) loss left the Magpies winless after the first fortnight.

Just like last week at the SCG, Isaac Heeney stepped up in the absence of the key three - Mills, Parker and Adams - in the middle, amassing 29 disposals, 13 contested possessions, four clearances and two goal to show he has the potential to become an All-Australian midfielder by September, after collecting his first blazer as a forward two years ago. 

Young spearhead Logan McDonald cashed in with four goals – three from the goal square – in one of his most productive outings yet that will enhance the scrutiny surrounding the West Australian’s contract status. 

Chad Warner did it all, finishing with three goals from 27 disposals and seven clearances in a clinical effort, while James Rowbottom was at his destructive best, laying a game-high 13 tackles, and Errol Gulden licked his lips in the second half, ending his night with 30 possessions and 650 metres gained.

The ruthless Swans started how they finished in Opening Round, dominating the first ten minutes but only had a moment of brilliance from Warner to show for it after he intercepted a handball from Steele Sidebottom to slot the Swans' first goal.

Enter Nick Daicos. He landed a long-range set shot from beyond the arc to settle the reigning premiers after a quiet start. Bobby Hill then picked up where he left off last time he played at the MCG, kicking a clever crumbing goal, sporting a bleached blond haircut.

When Jordan De Goey bent the Sherrin through on the run from 30m out, the Magpies had three goals from four inside 50s in stark contrast to last Saturday night’s wasteful inside 50 entries.

That was as good as it got for Collingwood.

Rowbottom rolled up his metaphorical sleeves and wrestled the momentum back in the second quarter, chasing down De Goey in two massive tackles, as well as kicking a goal from outside 50 on the run to silence the Collingwood army.

In a devastating burst, Sydney kicked six goals in a row, almost killing the contest by half-time, with Warner and Heeney involved in everything.

When Darcy Moore turned the ball over switching the ball across the back of the square in the third quarter, McDonald found McInerney streaming alone towards goal for another major, it was going to be a long way back.

Sydney’s pressure and intensity was too much for the Magpies, as was its organisation behind the ball caused Collingwood problems on transition.

Collingwood kicked four late goals to ensure the margin wasn’t the biggest loss under McRae, but it won’t hide the disappointment.

It is only a fortnight – and there are more games than earlier this century – but history tells us it is a fair way back for Collingwood.

No other reigning premier this century has recovered from an 0-2 start to go back to back.

Only four sides have gone back-to-back in the AFL era. The Magpies haven’t done it since legendary coach Jock McHale led Collingwood all the way in 1936.

Sydney is the real deal in 2024. Imagine what they will look like when Mills, Parker and Adams return.

Grundy faces another old mob
The fixture bosses didn’t miss the opportunity to cash in on the Brodie Grundy narrative to start 2024. A week after the ruckman produced a brilliant display first-up against Max Gawn and Melbourne, the Sydney recruit faced the side at which he won two best and fairests and claimed two All-Australian blazers. But despite a convincing win, Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox got the better of the former Pie.

COLLINGWOOD       3.1     5.2     6.5      10.9 (69)
SYDNEY                   2.6     7.8     12.10   15.12 (102)

GOALS
Collingwood: Elliott 2, Schultz 2, J. Daicos, De Goey, N. Daicos, Hill, McCreery, Cameron
Sydney: McDonald 4, Warner 3, Heeney 2, Rowbottom, Papley, Amartey, McLean, Wicks, McInerney

BEST
Collingwood: N. Daicos, Cameron, Maynard, Pendlebury
Sydney: Heeney, Warner, Gulden, McDonald, Rowbottom, McCartin

SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Fin Macrae replaced Ash Johnson in the third quarter
Sydney: Sam Wicks replaced Joel Amartey in the fourth quarter

Crowd: 78,933 at the MCG