Collingwood veteran Jeremy Howe has been taken to hospital after suffering a suspected broken arm in Friday night’s loss to Geelong.
The fast-starting Cats withstood a spirited Magpies fightback to claim a 25-point win and climb into the top six.
Collingwood’s loss was further compounded by injuries to defenders Howe and Perryman.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
Perryman suffered a hamstring injury in the second quarter, while Howe came from the field during the third term cradling his arm.
He appeared to suffer the injury while getting tackled in a rather innocuous incident.
It was the same arm that Howe horrifically broke in the first round of the 2023 season, coincidentally against Geelong.
The veteran missed over three months before returning in the second half of the season and playing a key role in the premiership triumph.
“This is a real blow for Collingwood,” 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary reported after the match.
“He’s been taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm. It’s the same arm that he broke in the first round of 2023.
“Our thoughts are with Jeremy Howe. He has been taken to hospital, let’s hope those scans come back with a positive result.”
St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt added: “Unbelievable. He’s been in such good form, I know his contract has been a discussion point in recent weeks and given how he’d playing, it was almost certain that he was going to go on next year. Hopefully this doesn’t have too great an impact on his availability next year.”
The Cats nabbed five goals to one in the first quarter and nine of the first 10 to set themselves up and led by as much as 49 early in the second term.
But Collingwood responded, kicking five goals on the spin to claw their way back into the game before Geelong settled to win 15.7 (97) to 10.12 (72) at the MCG and snap the Magpies’ six-game winning run.
Geelong tagger Oisin Mullin went to Magpies gun Nick Daicos while Cats star Bailey Smith (28 disposals) had Ed Allan for company
Daicos had 12 disposals in the opening term but few in attacking spaces, while the Cats dominated.
The Collingwood superstar grabbed his right foot after he attempted to kick the ball out of midair and landed awkwardly in the first quarter.
Daicos had his foot assessed and treated for several minutes but was able to play on and had 35 disposals, nine clearances and some pivotal moments.
Geelong’s Ollie Dempsey (29 disposals and two goals) was sensational, Tom Stewart (25 possessions) was influential, while James Worpel (10 clearances), Smith and Tom Atkins were all busy.
In Jeremy Cameron, Max Holmes and Patrick Dangerfield’s absence, forwards Ollie Henry (three goals), Shannon Neale (two) and Jay Polkinghorne (three) helped the Cats compile a winning score.
Howe worked hard defensively along with Josh Daicos (33 disposals) and Isaac Quaynor, while Dan McStay (five goals) and Beau McCreery (two) gave the Magpies a spark.
Collingwood tested out a new pre-game routine where players ran out shortly before the bounce, the lights were turned off and the traditional team songs were removed.
But it was Geelong who seized the ascendancy, suffocating Collingwood defensively and picking off turnovers at will.
When Dempsey flew over Jack Crisp then kicked truly, it sent Geelong on their way.
Geelong led by 24 points at quarter-time and nudged out to a game-high 49-point lead in the second term.
But Collingwood stopped the rot, lifting their pressure and tightening up defensively.
Goals to Charlie West, Angus Anderson and McCreery cut the halftime deficit to 29 points.
At the start of the third quarter, Collingwood coach Craig McRae started Nick Daicos at half-forward and the dynamo was heavily involved in attacking plays as Collingwood cut the deficit to just 17 points at the final change.
But the Cats held their nerve to move to 12-8 for the season.
Geelong next host Essendon at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday while ninth-placed Collingwood (11-1-8) travel to face West Coast on Sunday.
— With AAP
