AFL Grand Final: Fans sink the boot into president Eddie McGuire after Collingwood's defeat

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AFL Grand Final: Fans sink the boot into president Eddie McGuire after Collingwood's defeat image

Opposition fans have sunk the boot into Eddie McGuire following Collingwood's heartbreaking five-point loss to West Coast in Saturday's AFL grand final at the MCG.

When Eagles midfielder Dom Sheed kicked the winning goal at the 28-and-a-half minute-mark of the final term, no one was more devastated than the Collingwood president.

Television cameras flashed to the 53-year-old as the seconds ticked down in the final minute, and it was clear the gut-wrenching defeat was already hitting home for one of Australia's best-known media figures.

In cruel scenes following the final siren, McGuire was seen with tears in his eyes as he digested the result.

MORE: AFL Grand Final player ratings: Collingwood Magpies | AFL Grand Final player ratings: West Coast Eagles

Making the defeat all the more difficult for Collingwood to come to terms with was the fact that they held a huge 29-point lead in the first quarter, booting the first five goals of the game.

Fans lined up to take a shot at McGuire on Twitter.









While the Pies came up agonisingly short in the biggest game of the year, McGuire should be commended for showing faith in coach Nathan Buckley, when there were calls for his sacking towards the end of last season.

Collingwood finished 13th in 2017 and managed to turn their fortunes around to go within a kick of a premiership in 2018.

That's, in large part, thanks to McGuire's loyalty towards Buckley, and Buckley's performance this season.

Before the ball was bounced on Saturday afternoon, Collingwood's banner fell apart, leaving the players to run through an empty banner as they entered the ground.

Perhaps that was an omen for how the game was going to finish.

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