A late surge by Port Adelaide ended Collingwood's season at the MCG Every one of Nathan Buckley's kicks in the pre-match warm-up was a perfectly weighted 40-metre drop punt to the out-stretched hands of a Collingwood player on the lead. This is a bloke six years into retirement, mind you. Wearing slacks and leather dress shoes. So you can only imagine his dismay when he then watched from the coaches box while the Magpies produced a first half in which their kicking was every bit as frustrating as a TV without a remote control. Analysis, statistics and SuperCoach points The Pies butchered opportunities. In the first quarter alone Collingwood had 17-10 inside 50s, but its transition into the forward half was atrocious. At times the kicks went straight to the opposition, or long and high to a wrestling Travis Cloke, allowing a third Port defender to get across and provide cover. Port Adelaide score quick goals against the Magpies including a contender for goal of the season And these were not kicks under the sort of finals pressure seen down at Geelong earlier in the day. Talking points from the MCG In contrast, the inexperienced Port seemed to play with abandon and used the ball well early. Perhaps because of its stated ambition to enjoy the experience, the Power began the match playing on at all costs and moving the ball quickly. This free-flowing style allowed Port to kick five of the first six goals and get out to a 24-point lead early in the second quarter. Collingwood's cause was not helped when it conceded three goals in three minutes to start the second quarter: one of them a "double-goal" thanks to an indisciplined act in the goalsquare by Heath Shaw, the other courtesy of a spectacular Jay Schulz mark on Nathan Brown's shoulders. The complexion of the match changed after half-time, with Collingwood dominating possession and seemingly gaining match-winning momentum. The charge was led by Dane Swan, used largely as a forward. Twice he marked and ran into goal to put the Pies seven poiunts up. Moments later he had another chance, but fumbled while running towards goal. Dayne Beams and Steele Sidebottom helped drive the midfield and Brent Macaffer was having the better of Port skipper Travis Boak. But this is a Port Adelaide team whose resolve is not to be underestimated. The Pies trudge off with their season finished. No sooner was the Power challenged during that third than its players gritted their teeth and worked hard to endure they would not be steamrolled. The most encouraging aspect of the way it finished the game was that the resistance was led by its younger players, notably teeangers Chad Wingard and Ollie Wines. Both kicked goals just before three-quarter time to regain the lead for Port. Wingard is pure silk. He kicked a couple of crucial late goals and set up another for the Schulz, and it was noticeable has clean his hands were under pressure, as well as his composure and precise disposal. Wines bullocked his way through the night, and when the game was there to be won midway through the final term he snapped a magnificent goal from the boundary whilst surrounded by players. Port did not show any weaknesses to suggest they will be easy meat for Geelong next weekend. In Schulz and Westhoff they have strong marking forwards, while Wingard, Robbie Gray and Angus Monfries can make useful contributions at ground level. Its midfield has a potent mix of experience, pace and skill, and in Dom Cassisi, who did a fine job blanketing Pies playmaker Scott Pendlebury, they have a disciplined negator. Alipate Carlile and Jack Trengove also proved here that they are capable of shading two genuine big forwards, while the low-profile men at their feet were superb here. Collingwood will look at this as a wated season, but this night should be remembered for confirming that Port is not just a feel-good story of a team that got its act together and rose from 14th to make the eight. Rather Port looks the genuine article, one capable of progressing further in this campaign, and certainly in the years ahead. Second Elimination Final Collingwood v Port Adelaide at MCG Melbourne, 7th September 2013. Angus Monfries and teammates celebrate the siren. Picture by Colleen Petch. Second Elimination Final Collingwood v Port Adelaide, Dane Swan, Picture: Ludbey Wayne Second Elimination Final Collingwood v Port Adelaide, Nathan Buckley, Picture: Ludbey Wayne Second Elimination Final Collingwood v Port Adelaide, Ollie Wines, Joshb Thomas, Picture: Ludbey Wayne Ollie Wines celebrates a goal. Second Elimination Final. Collingwood v Port Adelaide at the MCG.Chad Wingard kicks a long goal during the 3rd quarter. Picture: Klein Michael