**CBS NEWS: Collingwood Player Magpies Narrowly Lose to West Adelaide in Final Pre-Season Hitout**
ADELAIDE, SA — In a hard-fought contest, Collingwood Football Club suffered a narrow defeat to West Adelaide in their final pre-season hitout on Saturday, losing by just two points in a thrilling encounter. The Magpies, who were hoping to finish their pre-season on a high note, were edged out 85-83 in a game that left both teams with plenty to take away as they prepare for the regular season.
The match, held at West Adelaide’s home ground, saw both teams exchange blows throughout the four quarters, with the Magpies showing promising signs despite the loss. Collingwood’s intensity and skill were evident, but in the final moments, West Adelaide’s ability to hold their nerve secured the victory in a nail-biting finish.
Following the game, Collingwood’s star midfielder **Jack Magpies** spoke to the media, offering his perspective on the defeat and what the team needs to work on heading into the start of the season. “It was a tough loss, no doubt. We fought hard, and I think there were plenty of positives we can take away from today. We were right in the contest, but a few key moments didn’t go our way,” said Magpies.
The game featured strong performances from Collingwood’s younger players, with several rising stars showing their potential. Rookie forward **Tom Greenwood** impressed with his pace and ability to find space inside the forward 50, kicking two crucial goals and providing a glimpse of what he could bring to the team in the upcoming season. In the midfield, **Luke Ball** and **Scott Pendlebury** continued to show their leadership, despite the narrow defeat, with Pendlebury notably controlling the tempo in the middle of the ground.
However, the Magpies’ inability to capitalize on several scoring opportunities, particularly in the second and third quarters, proved costly in the end. Collingwood missed a number of chances in front of goal, allowing West Adelaide to maintain a slight lead throughout the game.
Magpies reflected on the missed opportunities, saying, “We didn’t take full advantage of the chances we had, particularly in the second quarter. But it’s all part of the learning process. We’ve been working hard in pre-season to gel as a team, and I think we showed today that we’re headed in the right direction.”
Despite the defeat, Collingwood head coach **Craig McRae** was optimistic, highlighting that the pre-season has given the team a solid foundation to build upon. “We’ve got a lot to work on, but we saw some great signs out there today. The way the guys stuck together, fought to the end, and pushed through adversity was a good indication of where we’re at,” McRae said after the match.
West Adelaide, on the other hand, celebrated the win but remained focused on improving their game as they prepare for the regular season. Coach **Tony Bamford** noted that while the victory was a positive, there were still areas to address before the real competition begins.
For Collingwood, the loss highlighted a few areas where improvement is needed, particularly in finishing off games and executing in high-pressure situations. However, Magpies was confident that the team’s pre-season preparation and strong work ethic would set them up for a successful season.
“We’ve got a good group here, and we’re all ready to take that next step. It’s all about consistency now, and we’ll be ready when the real games start,” Magpies concluded.
Collingwood’s opening game of the season is just around the corner, and while the pre-season defeat stings, the Magpies will enter the regular season with the confidence that they have the tools to succeed. As the team looks to build on their performance and sharpen their skills, fans can expect a highly competitive Collingwood team when the season kicks off next week.