COLLINGWOOD continues to keep pace with the top four, after defeating the Queensland Firebirds 71-67 in Tasmania on the weekend.

The final margin did not reflect how dominant the Magpies were at times, but at the same time hardly does justice to the Firebirds’ incredible late comeback.

Collingwood got the jump and raced ahead to a three-goal lead before the Firebirds even managed to get their first.

The Magpies were the more dominant side in the first term, holding a four to five goal lead for much of the period.

Queensland was its own worst enemy at times, with errant passes and silly mistakes not helping the cause at all.

The Firebirds interestingly chose to not be tempted by the super shot in the last five minutes and it seemed to work, getting within two goals of their opponents, but the Magpies shot away late and took a five-goal lead into the first break.

It was a tough and congested second term, with both sides bringing the physicality.

The Firebirds were more game to try the super shots in the second quarter, but they just were not paying off and the Magpies capitalised on that to extend their lead even further.

At the main break, the margin was out to seven goals in favour of the Magpies.  

The Firebirds were again their own worst enemy in the first half of the third term.

Errant passes and calls going against them saw the Magpies get on a run and stretch the lead out to as much as 14 goals.

Then, as the middle part of the quarter wore on, things started to turn and the Firebirds went on a run of six straight goals of their own to drop things back down to eight the difference.

The Firebirds seemed to get a bit stuck when it came to making inroads in the margin, but a late super shot from Mia Stower changed all that.

That Stower goal saw the Firebirds ultimately win the quarter by the one and the margin at six heading into the final change.  

Queensland kept pace with the Magpies to begin the final term, but just could not bridge the gap that they desperately needed to.

Then, the Firebirds started to get on a run and suddenly the margin was back at three goals.

Collingwood then wrestled back controlled and broadened the gap again.

Stower then found her accuracy from range late but it was too little too late as the Pies got the four-goal win.  

For the Magpies, Shimona Nelson was impressively accurate, missing only one shot for the entire game, while Kelsey Browne and Molly Jovic once again did a mountain of work through the midcourt.

Meanwhile for the Firebirds, Stower was impressive after she came on, as was Kim Jenner.

Next round sees the Magpies at home to face the GIANTS while the Firebirds are away in Adelaide.

COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES             18 | 20 | 16 | 17 (71)
QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS              13 | 18 | 17 | 19 (67)

STARTING SEVENS

Collingwood Magpies:

GS: Shimona Nelson
GA: Sophie Garbin
WA: Kelsey Browne
C: Molly Jovic
WD: Ash Brazill
GD: Jodi-Ann Ward
GK: Geva Mentor

Queensland Firebirds:

GS: Donnell Wallam
GA: Gretel Bueta
WA: Lara Dunkley
C: Kim Ravaillion
WD: Gabi Simpson
GD: Ruby Bakewell-Doran
GK: Eboni Usoro-Brown