Tensions between Gold Coast and Collingwood have exploded on the stroke of half-time with an extraordinary all-in brawl that saw veteran Brayden Maynard make contact with an umpire.
It all started when Bailey Humphrey kicked a goal in the final minute of the second quarter after a questionable free kick.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Heated brawl erupts between Collingwood and Gold Coast
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It had started to kick off in the background between other players, including Nick Daicos and Noah Anderson, but things escalated when an unsuspecting Maynard was crunched by Ben Long after the goal.
Maynard had been fronting up to Humphrey and was caught completely unaware when Long came in from the side with a brutal hit to the ribs.
He took a while to get up as players came from all angles to remonstrate.
Things eventually diffused as the ball went back to the middle, but it all kicked off again as soon as the siren went for half-time.
Maynard, who had appeared to say “you are f***ed”, charged towards Long. As he got close to his intended target, he appeared to push away an umpire who was in the vicinity.
Maynard and Long did exchange words during the fiery confrontation before they were pulled away and players from everywhere came in.
“This is out of control. The umpires can’t do anything,” Anthony Hudson said in commentary.
Jason Dunstall added: “There are gonna be so many fines coming out of this. Ben Long and Brayden Maynard would love nothing more than to go at it.”
The umpire contact will be a massive point of contention with North Melbourne great David King suggesting a potential month-ban.
“This could be the dumbest thing we’ve seen for the year,” he said on Fox Footy.
“The umpires are a no-go zone, we talk about protecting them at all costs.
“This is irresponsible and it’s a month for me.”
Both sides went into half-time fired up, but it was the Suns who responded in the third quarter with three of the next four goals to take the lead.
Collingwood responded and a late Tim Membrey goal gave the Magpies a seven-point buffer at the final change.
The Suns threw everything at the Pies in the final change, but Collingwood had all the answers with goals at crucial times to hold on for a six-point victory.
All eyes were on Maynard and Long on the final siren and the pair appeared to cleared the air with a brief chat.
Speaking after the match, the inspirational Magpie said he copped a “cheap” shot from Long.
“If you’re going to come at me cheaply, you’re going to get some back,” he told Fox Footy.
“It’s all part of the game. I didn’t mind it really. I think I might have a broken rib.”
Superstar Nick Daicos racked up 31 possessions, eight clearances and 12 score involvements in another brilliant performance, and was quick to pay tribute to his fellow leader.
“Bruz is our spiritual leader and anytime they go at him, we have to stick up for him, he’s the first bloke to stick up for us,” he said.
“We absolutely love him and the way he responded in the second half, some of his chase down effrots just sums him up. He’s a star.”
The win lifts Collingwood to ninth place with an 8-7-1 record, while the Suns’ sixth-straight loss has them down in 12th place.
Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury was ruled out before the match with a calf injury, but his replacement Angus Anderson made his presence felt with two first-half goals, including a checkside on the run in the second quarter.
Tim Membrey and Dan McStay kicked three goals apiece for Collingwood, while Ben King and Bailey Humphrey kicked three each for Gold Coast.
